Our California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) members who are public safety dispatcher with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are gearing up for a busy five days.

Starting tonight at 6 p.m., the CHP's holiday enforcement effort will be in full swing.   The stepped up enforcement runs through Christmas night.  This is a period of time in which there are many travelers out on the road.

"I expect our CHP dispatchers will be overloaded with 911 calls given the stormy weather, the impatient and distracted driving that comes with the holidays and the impaired drivers," said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  "We want everyone to be safe, and we thank our dispatchers for being the best in the state.  They are courteous, concerned and top-notch at their jobs even at a time when many of them will be separated from their families while others are gathered around the Christmas tree. "

According to a CHP press release, last year during the Christmas holiday weekend, 14 people were killed in collisions in California.  The CHP is asking travelers to help keep the roadways safe by calling 911 to report a suspected drunk driver or any other problems.

"When calling 911, it's important for people to know their location," said CHP Public Safety Dispatchers Association President Tina Brazil.  "Especially on roadways such as I-5, because it's more desolate.  People need to pay attention to passed exits, mile markers, those types of things.  This information is extremely important for reporting accidents, impaired drivers or if your vehicle has broken down along the road."

CSLEA thanks our CHP dispatchers and our Calfire communications operators for their dedication and professionalism in answering our emergency calls for help not just over the holidays but all year long.