The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that nearly 100 drivers were caught speeding over 100 mph during the New Year’s holiday enforcement period.
Between 6 p.m. on December 31 and 11:59 p.m. on January 1, CHP officers issued more than 5,400 tickets, including 2,792 for speeding. Among these, 92 drivers were cited for exceeding 100 mph, and 379 individuals were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The enforcement period also saw six fatal crashes within the CHP’s jurisdiction, with speeding, impaired driving, and failure to wear seat belts identified as leading factors. The CHP emphasized the importance of seat belt use, stating, “Seat belts save lives: every seat, every trip,” as reported by Contra Costa News.
In response to the alarming number of high-speed violations, the CHP, in collaboration with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), has introduced the Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets program. This initiative automatically forwards citations for speeding over 100 mph to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch, which reviews the driver’s history and may impose penalties, including the suspension or revocation of driving privileges. The program aims to curb the rising number of traffic deaths and injuries across California, which have increased by 52% since 2010, according to the California Department of Transportation.
The CHP’s efforts during the New Year’s period highlight the ongoing challenges of ensuring road safety amid hazardous weather conditions and increased holiday traffic. The agency continues to urge drivers to adhere to speed limits and prioritize safety on the roads.
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