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Sonora, CA — 5.9-million Californians are expected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, and the California Highway Patrol will have all available local officers on the road starting this evening.
AAA of Northern California reports that the 5.9-million figure is up 5.1-percent from last year. The increase in travel is attributed to higher wages and more disposable income. Those traveling will be met by the highest average gas price in the past four years. The average price statewide is around $3.75. The myMotherLode.com gas price section notes that regular unleaded in Tuolumne County ranges from $3.19 and $3.39 and in Calaveras County from $3.32-$3.35.
A CHP Maximum Enforcement Period runs from 6:01pm today through late Sunday evening. Officers will be looking for seat belt violations, DUI drivers, distracted driving and speeders. During the CHP’s Thanksgiving MEP in 2017, there were 46 fatal collisions, statewide.
The weather will also create some hazards over the coming days. Click here to view the latest from the National Weather Service.
Traditionally, the busiest travel days are the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday afterwards.
This post was last modified on 11/21/2018 11:19 am
Written by BJ Hansen.
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