CHP to send messages directly to commercial driver ELDs during holiday weekend enforcement

This weekend, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will “for the first time” send alerts directly to truckers through their Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) as part of a holiday weekend enforcement effort.

On November 27, CHP announced plans to send critical safety messages directly to commercial truck drivers through ELDs during the Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), which will start at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, and run through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1.

“Short, geo-targeted messages—no more than 25 characters—will notify drivers of roadway hazards, long-term closures, enforcement operations, and high-crash areas. These alerts, displayed on a bright yellow background on the driver’s dash-mounted ELD, give drivers advance warning to slow down or prepare for upcoming conditions. California is among a handful of states leveraging this cutting-edge technology to enhance roadway safety,” CHP said.

“Our top priority is the safety of everyone traveling this Thanksgiving,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “By leveraging innovative tools like Electronic Logging Devices to communicate directly with commercial drivers, we can provide timely alerts and help prevent crashes before they happen.”

In September 2024, the Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division announced that a similar ELD alert system would be used to communicate directly with truckers.

In addition to the ELD alerts, CHP will also be amping up patrols statewide as part of the Thanksgiving MEP. Troopers will be on the lookout for violations including speeding, following too closely, improper lane changes, reckless driving, and distracted driving.