CHP Issued 73 Citations for Speeds Above 100 MPH on July 4th Holiday in 2020
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 30, 2021) —Fourth of July crashes on roads and freeways throughout California expected to rise this weekend as speed and alcohol combine for a deadly mix.
Last year, throughout California, the Fourth of July weekend was slower than normal. Most people were avoiding travel due to the pandemic and the freeways were wide open.
Our empty freeways didn’t go unnoticed by drivers who took advantage and put everyone at risk.
Indeed, the California Highway Patrol‘s Golden Gate Division for example, reported citing 73 drivers for speeding violations above 100 mph. In fact, traffic citations for driving over 100 mph throughout the state were up 161% between May 2019 to May 2020. Today the number of people cited for speeding still exceed pre-pandemic levels.
However, the California freeway system is not designed for high-speed travel and most people won’t survive a crash at 100 mph or more even while wearing a seat belt.
The CHP issued 1,876 citations in the nine-county San Francisco Bay area over the 3-day July 4th holiday in 2020 amid the ongoing pandemic. They also made some 125 arrests of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs and or alcohol.
Additionally, despite many people staying home last year, there were four fatal traffic accidents last year on local roadways.
Statewide the CHP reported at least 36 people died in crashes on state roadways in 2020. Additionally, police arrested 1,317 motorists in California last year for driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
This year, as more people become vaccinated, San Francisco Bay Area residents are more likely to travel somewhere to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Fourth of July Crashes 2021 Holiday Traffic
This year’s holiday is likely to be much busier than last year’s July 4th weekend. While the COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions are over, CHP officers may still be chasing after drivers who hit speeds above 100 mph. Also, every year during the Fourth of July holiday authorities will battle the surge in drunk and drugged driving throughout California.
Last year police officials handed out 1,876 traffic citations to drivers for all traffic violations.
The CHP will crack down on bad drivers to ensure the roadways are safe during its Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). This year’s MEP begins at 6 p.m. Friday and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday. During this period, special police patrols will be actively targeting the roads for drivers violating the law.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one quarter of all 2018 traffic fatalities were caused by speeding. Also, some 48% of speeding drivers in passenger vehicles who died in these collisions were not wearing a seat belt.
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