Say goodbye to 2025 and ring in 2026 safely during CHP Holiday Enforcement Period
5,450 actions, 1,385 citations, 297 DUI arrests, 6 fatal crashes claim 8 lives during Christmas HEP
By Jaime Coffee, Director of Communications, Office of Media Relations, California Highway Patrol
SACRAMENTO — The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ringing in 2026 by launching a New Year’s Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP). The CHP will boost patrols statewide from 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, to 11:59 p.m. Thursday, January 1.
While New Year’s is a time for celebration, the CHP encourages drivers to follow traffic laws, slow down, and always drive sober. Officers are prepared to stop reckless and impaired driving, which is one of the top preventable causes of crashes. During last year’s New Year’s HEP, the CHP reported 10 fatal crashes and 481 arrests statewide for driving under the influence. As you take the roads this week and celebrate the New Year, we want to remind everyone to make safety part of the plan: drive sober, slow down, stay focused & buckle up. Happy New Year from the California Highway Patrol!
“We’re entering a new year, but our message stays the same. Driving under the influence increases the risks on our roads, raises the chance of a crash, and puts lives in danger. We encourage everyone to do their part in keeping our roads safe by making responsible choices behind the wheel.” – Commissioner Sean Duryee
Driving while under the influence, whether from alcohol, drugs, or both, impairs judgment, decreases visibility and slows reaction times—key skills needed to drive safely. Before counting down to the new year, the CHP reminds everyone to plan ahead: designate a sober driver, use a ride-share service or public transportation and report drunk drivers by calling 9-1-1. Let’s start the new year safely.
Christmas HEP Results
During the 2025 Christmas Holiday Enforcement Period, which ran from 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 25, CHP officers took 5,450 enforcement actions, issued 2,744 citations, and made 297 DUI arrests statewide. Speeding remains a concern: 1,385 citations, including 94 over 100 mph. 6 fatal crashes claimed eight lives. Slow down, buckle up, drive sober.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
the attachments to this post:
CHP NYE 2025-26 & Christmas Results
