More drunk driving arrests have been made so far this Thanksgiving weekend in the Bay Area compared to the same time last year, according to the California Highway Patrol.
From Wednesday evening to Saturday morning, a total of 177 motorists have been arrested for driving under the influence, according to the CHP. In 2009, only 137 arrests were made during this time.
While arrests are on the rise, there have been no fatal accidents during this period, according to the CHP. There was one fatal crash Thanksgiving weekend in 2009.
Statewide DUI arrests have also increased since last year, according to the CHP. So far, 975 DUI arrests have been made over the long holiday weekend in California. Last year that
number was 904.
CHP officers traditionally step up enforcement during the holidays, where all available officers are looking for dangerous drivers, according to the CHP. The maximum enforcement period began Wednesday evening and will last until midnight Sunday.
A total of 1,461 DUI arrests were made over the Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 statewide.
