As millions of families throughout the state hit the road to visit friends and family this Thanksgiving holiday, the Monterey Park Police Department reminds drivers and passengers the importance of wearing a seat belt, and the potentially deadly consequences of not buckling up. 

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. According to AAA, 54.6 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday, up 1.5% from 2021. With more cars on the road, the chances of being involved in a crash go up, and a seat belt is the best defense.

“Regardless of how far you are going for Thanksgiving, we want everyone to get to their destinations safely and enjoy the holiday,” Chief of Police Scott Wiese said. “Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of a crash. It’s critical that drivers and passengers buckle up, every trip, every time.”

During the 2020 Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period, 33 people died on roadways within California Highway Patrol jurisdiction. Among those killed, 14 were not wearing seat belts.

Under California law, children under two years old who weigh under 40 pounds or are under 40 inches tall must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children under the age of eight or under 4’ 9” tall must be secured in a car or booster seat.