Overview
- The California Highway Patrol began a 78-hour Holiday Enforcement Period on Thursday, July 2, running through Sunday night to concentrate officers on speeding across state highways.
- CHP says the push builds on last year’s HEP, which produced more than 850 speed-related crashes, at least seven fatalities, nearly 400 injuries, and 1,311 DUI arrests.
- This year’s tactic includes 100 low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles that blend into traffic so officers can spot reckless drivers before taking enforcement action.
- The agency is urging drivers to slow down, designate sober drivers, use rideshares or taxis, never drive impaired, and always wear seat belts as part of its public-safety messaging.
- CHP cites broader data showing over 115,000 annual speed-attributed crashes and about 600 speed-related deaths in California, and news reports note low-profile vehicles have been linked to roughly 59,000 citations statewide, which could raise ticketing during heavy holiday travel.