CHP

With students returning to school for in-person learning, we encourage everyone to use extra caution when driving near school buses.

We still have a few spots available for the free Start Smart class this Saturday, October 24th at 10:00 am. To sign up, contact the Visalia Area CHP Office at (559)734-6767.

Come join the CHP Family! Interested or have a background in commercial vehicles? The examination cycle for Motor Carrier Specialist (MCS) has now opened. A Motor Carrier Specialist plays a vital role within our commercial section at the California Highway Patrol. An MCS is assigned to work all over California and travel to the facilities where commercial vehicles are based. There they check for proper vehicle maintenance and verify driver testing for controlled substances an...d alcohol as well as checking carriers for hazardous materials transportation requirements. Carrier Specialists make recommendations to motor carriers regarding improvement in procedures and practices. They will regularly perform inspections and evaluations of school buses, public paratransit vehicles, and various commercial vehicles such as farm labor vehicles, buses, trucks, truck-tractors, pull-trailers, and semi-trailers. The MCS is crucial in helping maintain our California roadways safe from dangerous and unkept commercial vehicles. All those interested have until the final filing date of October 22nd to apply for the examination process. The MCS examination is offered once per calendar year, make sure to submit your application on time. Click the link (https://www.chp.ca.gov/chp-careers/motor-carrier-specialist) to access the Motor Carrier Specialist Open Examination. #californiahighwaypatrol #chp #chpcareers #commercialvehicle #motorcarrier #motorcarrierspecialist #safetyservicesecurity

A safety reminder from our friends at Safe Kids Central California. If the seat history is unknown, replacing the seat might be your best option. #buckleupforsafety #chp

Are you sure your child is in the correct car seat? Are you sure the seat is correctly installed? 100% sure? If not, contact our office at (559)734-6767 to schedule a free car seat check. We have nationally certified technicians here to help.

Every day, California Highway Patrol officers respond to vehicle crashes involving children. The CHP is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote Child Passenger Safety Week, September 20-26. NHTSA data shows that vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children age 13 and under. 37 percent of the children killed in car crashes were unrestrained and almost 60 percent of children’s safety seats were used incorrectly. View our child seat safety guidelines at http://chp.click/childseat and visit your local CHP Area office for free safety seat installation assistance.

It is always good to remind your teen about reckless and distracted drivingthe number one killer of teens in America and it is 100% preventable. Here are a few tips to help keep your teen safe behind the wheel: Discuss risky driving behaviors such as excessive speed, drinking and driving, seat belt use, and distractions from other passengers and electronic devices with your teen. Know and enforce the provisions of the Graduated Driver License (GDL).... -No driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. -No passengers under the age of 20 unless accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older -No cell phone or wireless communication devices, hands-free or not Research shows that limiting a novice driver’s exposure to these higher-risk conditions reduces crash involvement! Before your child gets in the car with a friend, make sure the driver is not a provisional driver or that there is an adult in the car! Be a good role model for your teen behind the wheel. We send powerful messages to our children by the example we set. Turn off your phone and drive safely. #drivetoarrive #teendriver #practicemakesperfect

Remembering the tragic loss of so many innocent lives. #alwaysremember

Did you know the CHP has a Start Smart app? This app is a great resource for the parents of teens who are preparing to get their driver’s license. For example: there is information on how many hours of driving practice (with a licensed person age 25 or older) a person with a learner’s permit must complete before taking the driver’s license test. Do you know how many hours are required? Let us know what you think the answer is: a) 25 hours... b) 50 hours c) 75 hours d) 100 hours Bonus question: How many of those hours must be completed during the hours of darkness?

It's getting darker earlier each day as we head toward Fall. Have you talked to your teen about safe driving habits during the hours of darkness? What advice are you giving your teen? #safetyfirst #impactteendrivers #drivetoarrive #chp

Is anyone done with 2020? We get if you are, but we still have work to do. Fewer are traveling during the Labor Day weekend this year due to the pandemic, but the CHP will still implement its Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). The CHP advises all drivers to take precautions to keep themselves safe behind the wheel and protect others such as: buckle up (it doesn’t take more than 8 seconds)... avoid all distractions drive at safe and legal speeds NEVER...ever, ever, ever drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol All available CHP officers will be on patrol for the MEP, which begins at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, September 4, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 7. #safety #service #security #dontdrinkandrive #dontbeafool #isthatacopcarbehindme