CHP to Increase Presence for New Year's Eve

Whether you're driving to a rockin' party or just making a quick trip to the store on New Year's Eve,  you're likely to have some company. The California Highway Patrol plans to be out and about in a big way.

During a maximum enforcement period for New Year's weekend, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and continuing through noon Sunday, the CHP will have even more officers patrolling than usual.

"Officers will be on the road to ensure motorists celebrate the holidays in a safe, responsible manner," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "If your celebration involves alcohol, please designate a non-drinking driver."

In addition to avoiding drinking and driving, the CHP asks drivers to always wear seat belts, put children in appropriate safety seats and drive at a safe speed for various conditions.

"The holiday season is all about having good times with family and friends and about sharing and giving," said Farrow. "We want to make sure everyone enjoys their festivities and, therefore, our goal is to ensure you and your loved ones arrive at your destination safely."

In addition to the statewide increased CHP presence, a recently awarded to the Moorpark CHP office to increase coverage of the Highway 118 corridor goes into effect Jan. 1. The grant will allow for an extra 1,800 hours of officer time—the equivalent of three additional officers each weekend evening through Sept. 30, the end of the grant period.

"This DUI corridor safety grant represents a significant investment in public safety," Capt. Cliff Williams, commander of the Moorpark CHP office, said in an earlier this year. "With each arrest made, this anti-DUI campaign will raise awareness and prevent collisions resulting in additional loss of life related to impaired driving."

Area highway fatalities have decreased from 15 in 2005, when the Moorpark CHP office opened, to nine in 2009. However, the percentage of fatalities involving driving under the influence has remained at about 30 percent.