The roads and highways in the Central Valley have recorded an abnormally high number of fatalities, which is prompting the California Highway Patrol to undertake a zero tolerance campaign targeting unsafe driving behaviors.

The CHP Central Division launched the “Drive and Stay Alive Central Valley” campaign earlier this week. The campaign will focus on speeding, distracted driving, particularly by using cell phones, and failing to wear seatbelts.

“Effective immediately, we will begin a vigorous zero tolerance enforcement effort in the Central Valley,” said CHP Central Division Chief Scott Parker. “The CHP will be utilizing every available asset, including aerial, ground, and motorcycle units, to deploy special traffic enforcement and commercial strike forces.”

In 2020, the CHP-Central Division investigated 392 fatal traffic collisions, an increase of 18 percent from the previous year. Since Jan. 1, the CHP- Central Division has already investigated 54 traffic fatal traffic collisions.

“We will do our part through increased education, active traffic enforcement, and partnerships with our local traffic safety engineers to provide safety to the communities we serve,” Parker said.