Drivers en route to the Monterey Car Week events may want to avoid one souvenir — a speeding ticket.
California Highway Patrol officers with the Coastal Division plan to launch a special enforcement unit starting Wednesday and continuing through the weekend to entice drivers into following speed limits.
The beefed-up patrols coincide with Monterey Car Week, which includes a series of events featuring various vehicles.
Past participants included exotic car owners who couldn’t resist northern Santa Barbara County’s wide open roads lacking traffic congestion they typically see on Southern California freeways.
An inability to resist the temptation of showing off a distinctive high-performance car’s, or any vehicle’s, capabilities will lead to a citation, the CHP said, adding that all available officers will be assigned to enforcement and patrol efforts.
The enforcement won’t just involve CHP officers patrolling roads. CHP Air Operations also will support the effort with flight crews relaying observations to patrol officers.
“Whether driving a high-performance vehicle or an everyday vehicle, motorists are encouraged to obey posted speed limits, avoid distractions and make safe driving decisions,” the CHP said.
Ahead of the August 2023 Monterey event, CHP officers issued seven citations with several to drivers of high-performance cars traveling at high speeds, some more than 90 mph. The offenders drove Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche vehicles.
“The Central Coast is proud to host automotive fans from around the world, but our top priority will always be the safety of our local community and our guests. When drivers choose to speed, they aren’t just risking their own lives, they are putting our local neighborhoods at risk,” said Chief Mike Alvarez, Coastal Division commander.
The enforcement effort will encompass the entire Coastal Division, stretching from Santa Cruz to Ventura County.
Monterey Car Week isn’t the only time CHP officers have busted drivers of exotic cars traveling especially fast on local roads.
In late 2022, a Buellton-area CHP officer conducted a traffic stop involving a man behind the wheel of a Lamborghini driving 152 mph on Highway 154.
The road has seen a number of crashes that have critically injured or killed drivers and passengers, and prompted local residents and elected officials to press for safety improvements.
While this week’s effort takes aim at speeding vehicles, CHP officers noted that driving too slow can be just as dangerous as going too fast.
Last week, a CHP officer cited a southbound driver on Highway 101 in Carpinteria for driving 58 mph in the left lane, causing at least five vehicles to pass them on the right because of the traffic backup.
“Once stopped, the driver explained that their vehicle ‘drives very slow because it has a lot of miles on it,’” the CHP Santa Barbara Office posted on social media.
“The left lane is intended for passing. Remaining in the passing lane while traveling significantly below the flow of traffic can create congestion, frustration, and increase the risk of unsafe lane changes and possibly crashes,” the CHP said.
Drivers unable to safely keep up with traffic should move to the right lane and allow other motorists to pass.
Along with ensuring that vehicles are properly maintained, drivers should remain in the right lanes except to pass, maintain a safe, reasonable speed for conditions, and be courteous and aware other traffic, CHP officials said.