California IN BRIEF : CALIFORNIA : Road Deaths, Drunk Arrests Increase

Fifty-five people were killed on California roadways during the Christmas holiday weekend, and more than 2,100 drivers were arrested for being drunk behind the wheel, authorities said. The weekend count began at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at midnight Christmas Day. The death toll for last year’s Christmas weekend was 48. Of the 47 people killed in California Highway Patrol jurisdiction, 34 were not wearing seat belts. Local police agencies do not report seat belt use. The 2,114 people arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was well above last year’s figure of 1,491.