The California Highway patrol is planning a maximum enforcement period for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The CHP will be specifically looking for people not using their seat belts.

The Thanksgiving holiday reporting period begins at 6 p.m. tonight and runs through 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

 “Motorists are less likely to encounter one of our officers by simply wearing their seat belt,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.  “Not only does the law require everyone inside the vehicle to be properly secured, seat belts are your best line of defense in a collision.”

Collisions increased significantly during last year’s Thanksgiving holiday travel period. The CHP reported 32 people lost their lives on California’s roadways due to a collision last year, which was a 52 percent increase from Thanksgiving 2010.  Additionally, two-thirds of the people killed in collisions within CHP’s jurisdiction last year were not wearing a seat belt.  

“Although the majority of motorists in California are buckling up every time they get into a vehicle, there is still a small portion of the motoring public that need this reminder,” Farrow said.  “By not wearing your seat belt, the risk of death or injury in a collision substantially increases.”

The CHP would also like to remind motorists to avoid distracted driving, travel at a speed that is safe for conditions and also designate a non-drinking driver for the safety of everyone on the road.  Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday, the CHP made 1,475 arrests for driving under the influence. The public is encouraged to report unsafe or impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1.