Labor Day Weekend Traffic Enforcement Effort
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Sept. 2, 2021) — Labor Day signals the end of the summer and time for students to head back-to-school, but the holiday weekend has a dark side when impaired drivers hit our San Diego roadways.
That’s why California Highway Patrol officers are asking the public to be on the lookout for impaired drivers over the Labor Day weekend.
Also, Labor Day is the fourth-most-dangerous holiday for drivers in the United States. Topping the list is the Fourth of July, followed by Memorial Day and Thanksgiving, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
RELATED: Labor Day travelers should take safety precautions
Also, every year the CHP steps up its enforcement beginning at 6:01 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3rd through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6th, according to California Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray.
“Our officers are dedicated to making the roadways safe for all who use them,” Ray said. “Driving sober or designating a sober driver is the responsible choice to keep you, your passengers and other motorists safe.”
Drivers Often Combine Alcohol and Drugs
Furthermore, motorists are not only consuming alcohol, but they are also under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, illicit and prescription drugs, or a combination of any of them.
Last year’s 2020 Labor Day holiday, the CHP arrested more than 900 people across the state for driving under the influence. Sadly, 46 people died in crashes statewide with some 74 percent of them were not wearing a seatbelt, the CHP said. In San Diego, last year, the CHP made 26 arrests, but fortunately there were no fatalities.
Motorists should call 911 if they suspect another driver is impaired. It could save a person’s life by preventing a collision. However, it’s wise to have a passenger make the call and provide the dispatcher with a complete description of the vehicle including a license plate number, location and direction of travel.
California Highway Patrol Labor Day Traffic, Arrest Statistics
Fatalities are across all law enforcement records; Arrests are only for CHP
San Diego County
2020 — No fatalities and 26 DUI arrests
2019 — No fatalities and 40 DUI arrests
2018 — 60 DUI arrests
2017 — 45 DUI arrests
Statewide
2020 — 900 DUI arrests and 46 fatalities.
2019 — 1,078 DUI arrests 45 fatalities. (74 percent not wearing seatbelts).
2018 — 685 DUI arrests 14 fatalities
2017 — 730 DUI arrests
The DUI arrests are only those made by CHP officers, while fatality statistics are for all law enforcement agencies in the state.
Source: California Highway Patrol
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