CHP Enforcement Plan on Highway 74 Wins Praise

Supervisor Perez and State Lawmakers Appreciate California Highway Patrol Enforcement Plan for Highway 74

The California Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement on State Highway 74 to keep the community safe ahead of the busy December holiday travel.

The CHP’s commercial enforcement plan includes more enforcement patrol on the highway, additional commercial enforcement training to detect and cite observed commercial violations, and community meetings CHP will host in coming months for residents to voice their concerns.

In a bipartisan effort, Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and State Assemblymembers Greg Wallis and Jeff Gonzalez worked with CHP to get these efforts in place. They elevated safety concerns following alarming videos, shared by local residents, of dangerous driving behavior on the mountain road between the desert and Idyllwild.

“I continue to be deeply concerned about the driving tactics and amount of large trucks on Highway 74,” Supervisor Perez said in a statement. “With the holiday season in full force, mountain residents are experiencing an influx of trucks that are causing drivers to fear there can be an accident. I understand because I almost lost my brother on Highway 74. Public safety is a top priority for our office and that includes robust traffic enforcement on our mountain roads. I want to thank CHP for taking swift action.”

State legislators Assemblymember Greg Wallis and Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez have proposed legislation to improve Highway 74 safety and joined Supervisor Perez to request immediate action to keep the traveling public safe.

Assemblymember Wallis said, “Highway 74 has been a vital connection between our mountain and desert communities for nearly a century, but it was never built for the level of heavy truck traffic and reckless driving we are seeing today. That’s why Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez and I introduced AB 1145, known as Tristin’s Bill, to require a comprehensive safety study of Highway 74 and similar roads so Caltrans and CHP have the data they need to act. I’m extremely grateful to Supervisor Perez and our local law enforcement for their partnership and advocacy highlighting the concerns we are all hearing from residents, and I’ll continue working with them to improve safety along this critical corridor.”

Assemblymember Gonzalez said, “I am deeply grateful to the California Highway Patrol, Supervisor Perez, Supervisor Washington and Assemblymember Wallis for their commitment to keeping our roads safe. Their partnership and continued efforts mean a great deal to the families in our region. Our residents deserve safe roads, and I am thankful for every person working to make that a reality.”

Additionally, Supervisor Perez is leading a county study of truck traffic on State Highway 74. The study is anticipated to be completed in spring 2026.

The elected officials, public safety and transportation agencies also remind all drivers to travel responsibly and call 9-1-1 or report to CHP when they see dangerous driving.

“Please be careful on these roads. For the sake of everyone on the road, take caution so we can all get to our destination and home safely,” Supervisor Perez implored.