CHP UPS PATROL FOR THE HOLIDAYS SPEEDING MOTORISTS, DRUNKS TO BE TARGETED.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - More California Highway Patrol cars will be on Antelope Valley roads and highways looking for speeders and drunk drivers during the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Capt. Brian Smith, commander of the Antelope Valley station, said the increased patrols are designed to ensure that everyone has a safe holiday season.

``This is the time of year where everyone is thinking about turkey, pumpkin pie and shopping,'' Smith said. ``However, all it takes is one accident to ruin the holiday season for the entire family.''

The CHP's Maximum Enforcement Period will begin tonight at about 6 and last through Sunday. More than 80 percent of the officers in the Antelope Valley station will be on duty at any one time.

Patrols will be targeting speeders, reckless drivers, intoxicated drivers and motorists and passengers without seat belts.

Stepped-up patrols are conducted during every holiday but more so around periods when people are more likely to drink and drive, such as July 4, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving and Christmas, CHP officials said.

Smith said officers will be especially vigilant for any signs that a motorist may be intoxicated.

Although more people are wearing seat belts than several years ago, it's still not high enough. The CHP says 89 percent of the people it stops are wearing seat belts.

Over the last month, Antelope Valley crashes have killed four people and injured 13, none of them wearing seat belts.

``We want 100 percent compliance,'' Smith said. ``We have seen too many crashes involving people who have received serious or fatal injuries that could have been prevented had they worn their seat belts.''