A total of 42 people were killed this year between 6pm Wednesday and Midnight Sunday. During the same period last year, 60 people died on California roadways. “Hopefully, this is an indication that people are getting our message; don’t drink and drive, keep the speed down and always wear your seat belts,” said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown.

Many of those who didn’t get the message paid the price. DUI arrests by CHP officer totaled 1,269 this Thanksgiving holiday compared to 1,521 last year. During the four-day Maximum Enforcement Period, up to eighty percent of the CHP’s officers were on the road. “Clearly the enhanced enforcement efforts paid off,” noted Commissioner Brown. “Frankly, I believe these arrests prevented tragedies for many motorists and kept this holiday from being an bloodier than it was.” None of the eight CHP field divisions showed an increase in fatalities over Thanksgiving weekend 2005. With the Christmas and New Year’s holidays fast approaching, the CHP warns that similar Maximum Enforcement Periods will be in effect during those holiday weekends.