By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
The California Highway Patrol’s annual Christmas and New Year’s weekend Maximum Enforcement Periods (MEP) yielded minimal results this year, said CHP Public Information Officer Devin Julien- Rohman.
He speculated that extreme weather conditions (near-record rainfall amounts, combined with near-freezing temperatures, thick fog and wind gusts topping 80 mph) may have discouraged many motorists from venturing outdoors, where mud, rocks and boulders rolled onto roads, several of which were already washed out.
Complicating matters was a rash of traffic collisions, resulting in serious injuries and road closures on Highway 18, Highway 138 and Highway 330. No fatalities related to these incidents had been reported.
Officer Julien-Rohman, who is stationed at the CHP’s Arrowhead Area office in Running Springs, told the Alpine Mountaineer on Friday, Jan. 2 that the Maximum Enforcement Periods began at 6 a.m. and concluded at 11:59 p.m. When asked how many citations had been issued for driving violations, Julien-Rohman said the department’s officers had issued warnings to 17 persons. In addition to the warnings, he said two persons had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs (DUI). Asked whether any of the warnings were related to people parking in traffic lanes to install chains or to play in the snow, he said the Sheriff’s Department handled those issues.
Officer Julien-Rohman advises anyone driving in winter weather to drive carefully on mountain roads and to keep a safe distance behind other vehicles. He also recommends carrying blankets and warm clothing, as well as snack foods and water.
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