booze.jpgThe California Highway Patrol has arrested more people for driving under the influence in the Bay Area this Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared to the same time last year.

Bay Area CHP officers have arrested 177 people for driving under the influence for the period between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. today, compared to 137 during the same period in 2009.

Although there have been more arrests than last year, the region has avoided deaths on the highways this weekend. There was one traffic fatality during the same period in 2009, according to the CHP.

DUI arrests are also up statewide this weekend compared to last year. CHP officers have arrested 975 people for driving under the influence statewide, compared to 904 last year.

There have been 11 traffic deaths statewide so far this holiday weekend, compared to 18 last year.

The numbers are provisional since some cities have not reported their statistics.

The CHP plans to continue its increased enforcement period through Sunday night.

Dan McMenamin, Bay City News

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