[California Highway Patrol] – It’s that time of the year to be thankful for many things in one’s life, and one of those things should be for the careful and defensive driving by family, friends and other motorists on the road.

“Be patient and attentive while traveling on the roadways this holiday season,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow.  “People are eager to see friends and loved ones, but it’s important to get to your destination safely.”

The CHP will be keeping a watchful eye on the motoring public as they head out on their road trips during the Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period which begins Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 6:01 p.m. and continues through Sunday, Nov. 27, at 11:59 p.m. It coincides with the “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign which begins tomorrow in California.

“Our goal is to encourage motorists to make safe choices to prevent tragedies,” said Commissioner Farrow.

The CHP reminds all motorists to buckle up, observe the speed limit and not to drink and drive.  During the 2010 Thanksgiving weekend, 21 people were killed in collisions throughout California.  Among the five vehicle occupants killed in CHP jurisdiction, one person was not wearing a seat belt.

It’s also important to remember to designate a non-drinking driver before the celebration begins.  Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday, CHP made 1,546 arrests for driving under the influence, a nearly 6 percent increase from the same time the previous year.

“Whether it’s impaired or distracted driving, speeding because you’re in a hurry or you forget to buckle up, a careless decision made in an instant can hurt a family for a lifetime,” Farrow said.