Holiday Weekend Traffic Deaths Down Despite Rain

Traffic fatalities in the county and across the state dropped sharply over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared to a year ago, despite an increase in collisions caused by rain and snow.

One person was killed in a Los Angeles County freeway crash, compared with eight highway deaths reported during the same period last year, the California Highway Patrol said.

Statewide, the highways claimed the lives of 28 people, compared with 48 killed last year.

The CHP arrested 286 motorists in Los Angeles County for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, slightly up from last year’s 284 arrests. Across the state 1,256 individuals were arrested for DUI offenses, up from 1,203 in 1997.

There was a 200% increase in collisions on county freeways over the weekend, largely due to Saturday’s rain, said CHP Officer Bob Granieri.

The Pacific storm showered the southern half of the state with rain, blanketed the mountains with several inches of snow and blew in colder temperatures.