People urged to drive safe during winter storms and holiday travel

Fresno, California (KFSN) — This year’s New Year’s Eve is expected to see record numbers of tourists nationwide.

AAA estimates that more than 102 million Americans will drive at least 50 miles to their vacation destinations this year.

Drivers on the road can expect severe weather, including heavy rain and wind in the Valley and high-altitude snow in the Sierra.

Fresno’s California Highway Patrol will have chain control near Lake Shaver.

“If you’re planning on going out, make sure you’re well equipped and have chains,” said Mike Salas of the California Highway Patrol. We plan to set up a Advocate.

Statewide, CHP is also fully enforced. In other words, checkpoints are focused on stopping people suspected of driving under the influence.

Last year, police officers made 495 DUI arrests over a holiday weekend.

“We always want to reduce these numbers. Our goal is to have zero DUI arrests. We are looking for drivers with disabilities who have disabilities,” Salas said. explained.

Last year’s New Year’s Eve weekend, 29 people lost their lives in car accidents.

The main causes were speeding and distracted driving.

With wet and stormy weather expected, CHP urges everyone to make good choices.

“We plan to have hundreds of police officers throughout California, through major highways, up and down Highway 99, and down I5 on the coast of the mountains. I’m sacrificing my time off to make sure that I’m on the right track,” Salas said.

Minimal traffic is expected on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with heavy traffic again on January 2nd.