To help celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, there will be a special Lighted Boat Parade on Lake Tulloch, set for 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. Boaters should meet at the South Shore Marina. All are welcome to attend and enjoy the holiday lighting on the variety of boats. Last year, over 60 boats participated, according to parade organizers.

This is the fourth year the special holiday lighted boat parade has been staged on the lake.

Meanwhile, another aspect of the holiday has California Highway Patrol officials reminding motorists to stay safe on the roads. CHP reminds drivers to follow the speed limit, buckle up, and designate a non-drinking driver if you plan to attend a party.

Independence Day is a Maximum Enforcement Period, MEP, for the CHP. Officers will monitor motorists who are a potential threat to themselves and others. The MEP begins Tuesday, July 3 at 6 p.m. and runs through Wednesday, July 4 through 11:59 p.m.

“When celebrating Independence Day, the CHP wants you to be safe. When driving be sure to leave plenty of time to get to your destination,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Most importantly, before heading out, insist everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt and children are secure in safety seats.”

Last year during the Independence Day MEP, 34 people were killed in traffic collisions in California. This was a significant increase from the 23 people who died in 2010. Many of those deaths may have been prevented, said Farrow, with the simple click of a seat belt.

“It is alarming to know that more than 80 percent of the people who were killed in vehicle collisions over the Independence Day holiday last year may have survived had they taken the time to buckle up,” he said.

Driving under the influence is always a major concern for the CHP. Last year, over the Independence Day weekend, CHP officers made 1,562 arrests for driving under the influence. Motorists are asked to designate a non-drinking driver before they celebrate to ensure everyone’s safety while on the road.