The July Fourth weekend saw its share of DUI-related deaths and arrests statewide, with both rising over last year.
During the California Highway Patrol’s 78-hour Maximum Enforcement Period, at least 35 people were killed in collisions, while 1,118 impaired drivers were removed from state highways.
At least 65 percent of those killed in the DUI collisions were not wearing a seatbelt, according to information provided by the CHP.
In the first six hours of the Maximum Enforcement Period, seven people were killed, with that number doubling in the first 30 hours, the CHP said.
In 2015, 26 people were killed on California roadways with 930 DUI related arrests made.
Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, the CHP said. Of those who died in 2015, 38 percent were not wearing seat belts.
The Maximum Enforcement Period launched at 6 p.m. July 1 and ended at midnight July 4.
