Which group is primarily responsible for enforcing traffic laws in California?

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is the primary agency responsible for enforcing traffic laws throughout the state. It has a broad mandate that includes patrolling highways, assisting with accident responses, and enforcing vehicle codes to ensure public safety on the roads. The CHP also has specialized units that handle various aspects of traffic enforcement, including commercial vehicle enforcement, pursuit driving, and education programs aimed at promoting safe driving practices.

While local police departments and county sheriffs do have jurisdiction over traffic law enforcement within their own municipalities or counties, their primary focus tends to be on general law enforcement duties. In contrast, the CHP is specifically tasked with handling traffic-related issues across California, especially on state highways and interstates, which encompasses a larger area than local police or county sheriffs typically cover.

Federal highway inspectors primarily deal with compliance related to federal regulations, such as those regarding commercial vehicles and interstate commerce, rather than state-level traffic enforcement. Thus, the CHP is uniquely positioned as the state’s primary authority on traffic law enforcement, making it the correct choice in this scenario.