The State - News from Sept. 2, 1986

Forty nine people died in traffic accidents in California during the first 2 1/2 days of the Labor Day weekend, up 15 from last year’s total of 34, the Highway Patrol reported. But drunk driving arrests fell to 1,851, down substantially from the 2,097 taken into custody last year, the CHP said. Only two of the deaths occurred in the Los Angeles-Orange County area; most were in the San Joaquin Valley. CHP dispatcher Michael Bartley said 34 of the 49 victims were not wearing seat belts. The toll was registered from 6 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Monday.