CHP encourages motorists to be safe

Editor,

The holiday season is a time when people drive a little more frequently than other times of year. They are travelling throughout the Central Valley, visiting family, continuing their commutes to and from work, and attending holiday events. I want to assure you the California Highway Patrol will be out on the roadways providing safety, service and security 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, it is physically impossible for us to be on every roadway simultaneously. We are asking you to take a moment during this holiday season and really think about what is important. What is it that you value the most? I am hoping the answer to that question would be yourself, your loved ones and others.

With that said, when you get into a 1,000-pound vehicle and before you accelerate, ask yourself these three important questions: Am I sober? Is everybody in the vehicle wearing their seat belt or in an appropriate child restraint? Am I prepared to give my full attention and am I alert enough to operate this potentially life-threatening machine known as a vehicle? If you answered no to any of these questions, don’t accelerate.
Don’t put your life or the life of anyone else in jeopardy.

Last year during the months of November and December, the CHP investigated 39 fatal collisions in the Central Valley. If you consider passengers, the other people involved in the collisions, witnesses to the collisions, family, friends and communities, that is a whole lot of people. Losing a loved one any time of the year is tragic, but during the holidays can be devastating. Please do your best and give a gift that really means something — drive safely.

Chief Jim Abrames
CHP, Central Division