LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With the July 4 holiday upon us, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants the three-day weekend to be a safe one for all motorists on the road.

“Celebrating our great country’s birthday with friends and family is a holiday tradition for many people,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.

“Many Californians will be taking to the roadway and we encourage motorists to celebrate safely; designate a non-drinking driver, buckle up, minimize distractions and allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so that you don’t feel the need for speed on the highway,” Farrow said.

The CHP will join travelers on the roadway this coming weekend. The Independence Day weekend is a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) for the CHP.

Officers will be on duty during the MEP, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, July 1. and continues through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 4.

“With many people taking to roadway this holiday weekend, motorists can rest assured our officers will be on the lookout for those in need of assistance,” said Farrow.

In addition to providing service to motorists, throughout the Independence Day MEP, CHP officers also will focus on removing impaired drivers from the roadway, discouraging speeders from exceeding the posted speed limit and encouraging all motorists to buckle up; those are three primary causes of death on the roadway.

During last year’s Independence Day MEP, 23 people were killed statewide; among the 11 vehicle occupants killed in CHP jurisdiction, three were not wearing a seat belt.

In addition, CHP officers made 1,438 arrests for driving under the influence.

“We want you to travel safely through this great state and enjoy your weekend with friends and family,” added Commissioner Farrow.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .