CHP cracking down on seat belt safety this Memorial Day weekend

California Highway Patrol-Monterey says they are cracking down on seat belt safety this weekend as part of their Maximum Enforcement Period.

Officer Jessica Madueno says lack of seat belt usage has contributed to a big number of deaths on Memorial Day weekend. “Approximately 70% of the people who have died in 2016-2017 during memorial day MEP weekend were not wearing their seatbelts. So again we want to remind people to wear your seatbelts, it only takes two seconds.”

CHP says they have all available officers on duty this weekend, starting Friday at 5pm ending Monday at 12am.

Madueno also says plan ahead when going out. Either designate a driver or plan to take ride share.

Aside from being very expensive when driving under the influence, Madueno says “you can also run the risk of loosing someone you love, you need to remember it’s not just yourself you need to think about other drivers on the road.”

As of Saturday afternoon CHP Monterey had already made several DUI arrests.