California Highway Patrol officers began a 78-hour Labor Day enforcement period Friday evening, with officers statewide focused on impaired driving through 11:59 p.m. Monday, according to Patch and City News Service.

The enforcement period coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which runs through Monday. CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee urged drivers who drink or use impairing substances to make a plan before getting behind the wheel.

During the 2025 Labor Day enforcement period, CHP officers made more than 1,200 impaired-driving arrests statewide, according to preliminary agency data cited by Patch. CHP also reported nearly 500 DUI-related crashes during that same 78-hour period, with more than 270 injuries and eight deaths.

For Santee drivers, the timing matters because holiday traffic often funnels through state Routes 52, 67 and 125, plus Interstate 8 through East County. Residents heading to beaches, casinos, lakes, mountain communities or Labor Day gatherings should expect extra enforcement and plan sober rides before the long weekend gets underway.

The patrol period continues through Monday night. Patch reported the statewide enforcement details based on CHP information.