Desert Police Prep For Heavy Holiday Traffic

The roads were flooded with drivers headed out of the valley for Memorial Day weekend Friday, and the California Highway Patrol beefed up patrols to enforce its ‘2010 Click it or Ticket Campaign.’

CHP will also assist other agencies that are holding DUI checkpoints.

DUI deaths have dropped more than 20 percent since 2005, but, in 2008, 30 percent of all traffic deaths were DUI related, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administrations.

Many people hit the road early Friday morning to avoid as much trouble as possible.

The Palm Springs Police Department will be holding a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location.

Starting at six o’clock, CHP will have the maximum amount of officers patroling the roads up until midnight on Monday.

Interstate 10 is expected to be extremely busy, because a lot of people will be passing through the valley, headed west to Los Angeles, or east to Arizona.

“Nine o’clock was early in the morning for us,” said Mike Moratis, traveling to Phoenix for a hockey tournament. “So, we’re about halfway through the trip.”

“As a nurse, I see people – what drunk drivers can do, and that really scares me,” said Kristina Ryan, passing through the valley.

“Make sure you give yourself plenty of time,” said Ramon Perez, an officer with California Highway Patrol. “It’s better to be a little bit late, than not to arrive at all.”

Adults caught without a seat belt face a $142 fine, and children under 16 years of age face a $145 fine, according to CHP.