CHP officers are on the lookout for impaired drivers this holiday weekend.
So far, 717 impaired drivers have been taken off the streets according to a CHP Twitter post.
The men and women of the California Highway Patrol have now taken 717 impaired drivers off the streets. We are working hard to keep you safe this weekend. #NoSafePlace #WeekendWarrior#LaborDay@wastatepatrol @idahoStPolice@Arizona_DPS@ORStatePolice@NevadaDPS
— CHP Headquarters (@CHP_HQ) September 1, 2019
As of Friday evening, California Highway Patrol started their maximum enforcement period for the holiday weekend.
According to CHP Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest on highways, so CHP has nearly doubled the amount of officers in the field to handle the influx of drivers hitting the roads.
Officers will especially be on the lookout for those driving drunk and distracted.
"Having more officers out there watching for that sort of thing is really a good thing," said San Luis Obispo resident Sabastian Weatherly.
Weatherly is planning on having a low-key weekend but says he is happy to know more law enforcement will be patrolling the roads.
"They are seeing a highway patrol officer and so that gives people a sense of security and it lets them know we are out here and we are looking for the impaired drivers... we are looking for the people that are driving aggressively," said CHP Traffic Officer Sean Galloway.
According to CHP, during the 2018 Labor Day weekend 36 people were killed and more than 1,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence.
"I have had family members who have gotten into car accidents over drunk driving and stuff so it's a sensitive topic and I feel like we need more people out there watching over us," said Weatherly.
CHP's maximum enforcement period started Friday at 6 p.m. and will run through Monday until midnight.
