CHP makes fewer drunk-driving arrests this Thanksgiving holiday

Seventeen people were killed in traffic collisions and more than 800 people were arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in cases handled by the California Highway Patrol over the Thanksgiving holiday, officials said.

There were no such traffic fatalities in Los Angeles County, but CHP officers made 186 drunk-driving arrests in the county, according to figures released Saturday by the law enforcement agency. The reporting period is from 6:01 a.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Saturday.

The statewide fatality count is up from the same period last year, which had 14 such traffic deaths. But the 840 drunk-driving arrests by CHP officers (and not including those by other law enforcement agencies) was a drop from last year's 903.

Los Angeles County saw a similar decrease in drunk-driving arrests by CHP officers: There were 200 last year. CHP officers also handled no traffic fatalities in the county over Thanksgiving last year, the agency said.

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-- Rick Rojas

Photo: A California Highway Patrol vehicle. Credit: California Highway Patrol