Longer holiday weekend means more DUI arrests

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported last week that more DUI arrests were made this year over the New Year’s holiday period compared to last year.

However, it was pointed out that because New Year’s Day was on a Tuesday this year, the period for reporting holiday statistics was one day longer than last year. The period started Friday, December 28, at 6 p.m. and ended on Tuesday, January 1, at 11:59 p.m.

During that time CHP officers made 1,596 DUI arrests statewide, including 122 in San Diego County, compared to 1,481 arrests statewide with 112 in San Diego County last year.

On the other hand, the number of fatalities actually went down despite the higher number of arrests. Twenty-six deaths were reported statewide by all law enforcement agencies, two of them in San Diego County, compared to 38 statewide including five in San Diego County last year.

Of the 19 vehicle occupants killed, eight were not wearing safety belts. Two of the fatalities were motorcyclists.