CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : CALIFORNIA : Holiday Traffic Accidents Claim 35

Thirty-five people died on the state’s roads during the New Year’s holiday weekend, six fewer than the year before, the California Highway Patrol reported. The CHP said the decline could be attributed to tougher enforcement of drunk driving laws, public awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving and increased use of seat belts. The CHP said 2,357 drivers were arrested on drunk driving charges during the period from 6 p.m. Friday to midnight Monday. During the same period last year, 1,882 people were arrested.