23 Drivers Arrested Over 78-Hour Period

Ventura County law enforcement officers arrested 23 motorists on suspicion of drunk driving during the maximum enforcement period that ended at midnight Monday, officials said.

The number compares with 14 similar arrests over the maximum enforcement period a year ago. But California Highway Patrol officials said the extra day in this year’s long weekend contributed to the increase.

“Last year wasn’t that long,” CHP Officer Staci Morse said. “This year fell over a four-day weekend, so we had a lot more travelers on the road.”

The maximum enforcement period--when as many law enforcement personnel are on patrol as possible--began this year at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at midnight Monday, a 78-hour period.

Last year, the enforcement period went from 6 p.m. Dec. 24 to midnight Dec. 26, a period of 54 hours.

The CHP reported 25 traffic accidents over the four days that ended Monday night, up from 10 accidents over last year’s three-day holiday weekend.

Of the 25 collisions, five were injury crashes that resulted in six people being hurt, Morse said. Of the 10 accidents a year ago, two involved injuries to four people, she said.

The number of alcohol-related crashes remained stable, with three such accidents occurring over both weekends, Morse said. One person, however, was killed this year in a collision, while no one died during the maximum enforcement period last year, she said.

“It’s becoming more socially acceptable, and socially accepted, for people to designate a driver,” Morse said.