News

U.S. Highway 101 will be getting some extra attention Thursday from the California Highway Patrol during an enforcement campaign spanning the northern reaches of the state to the Bay Area.

A rash of serious injury and fatal crashes along the main artery in recent years prompted the operation, according to a CHP new release, with nearly 2,000 crashes occurring along the highway from the Oregon border through Mendocino County between 2018 and 2019.

In those, 745 people were injured and 53 killed.

Most of the crashes involved one or more of the following: speed, reckless driving, unsafe lane change, unsafe turning movement, following too close, distracted driving, and driving under the influence, with increased injuries and deaths from occupant restraint violations, according to the release.

“The US-101 corridor within Northern Division and Golden Gate Division represents a large portion of where traffic crashes are occurring,” said Northern Division Chief Greg Baarts in the release.  “Increased visibility, aggressive enforcement, and public education within the Areas along this corridor will contribute to increased safety for motorists travelling on US-101.”

Read the CHP release below:

REDDING, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Northern Division and Golden Gate Division, having jurisdiction over the major transportation corridor of US-101 throughout northern California, are partnering to participate in a Major Corridor Enhanced Primary Collision Factor (PCF) Enforcement Campaign on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

This effort aims to reduce the number of injury and fatal traffic crashes on the major roadways throughout the two Divisions.  In 2018 and 2019, a total 1,928 crashes occurred on US-101 from the Oregon border through Mendocino County, causing 745 injuries and killing a total of 53 people.  The primary causes for most of the injury and fatal crashes were determined to be: speed, reckless driving, unsafe lane change, unsafe turning movement, following too close, distracted driving, and driving under the influence, with increased injuries and deaths from occupant restraint violations.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California.  This includes the prevention of loss of life, injuries, and property damage resulting from traffic crashes through enforcement, education, engineering, and partnerships.

The CHP is promoting awareness and safe driving along this major corridor route.  During the enhanced enforcement campaign, the CHP will target US-101 with increased traffic safety operations to educate and, if necessary, take appropriate enforcement action on drivers who violate traffic laws along this major corridor route. 

“The US-101 corridor within Northern Division and Golden Gate Division represents a large portion of where traffic crashes are occurring,” said Northern Division Chief Greg Baarts.  “Increased visibility, aggressive enforcement, and public education within the Areas along this corridor will contribute to increased safety for motorists travelling on US-101.”

The CHP reminds motorists to follow these basic traffic safety rules: always wear a seat belt, drive at a speed safe for conditions, eliminate distractions while driving, and always designate a sober driver.