Thanksgiving weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times in America, can also be one of the deadliest. The Morongo Basin California Highway Patrol will have all available officers on patrol during a Maximum Enforcement Period to help avoid tragedies for California motorists. Over the 2014 Thanksgiving weekend, 45 people died in collisions on California roadways, a 36 percent increase from the same period in 2013. In addition, the CHP arrested almost 1,000 people for driving under the influence. “Having a safe Thanksgiving drive this year—and being here to enjoy next Thanksgiving—can be as simple as buckling up,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Nearly half the people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction over Thanksgiving last year were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.” The CHP’s maximum enforcement period will begin 6 pm. Wednesday, November 25, and continue through midnight Sunday, November 29.
