News - New Year's Eve DUI Arrests Up Statewide

Julia Fox

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The California Highway Patrol reports traffic deaths and drunken driving arrests were up statewide during New Year's Eve compared to last year.

CHP says 11 people were killed statewide in traffic-related incidents from the early evening of New Year's Eve to New Year's Day morning. That compares to four people during the same period last year. CHP says 438 people were arrested for DUI, compared to 362 people last year.

New ignition lock laws aim to foil drunk drivers in six states

Six states are starting up laws meant to put the brakes on drunk drivers with the aid of technology. In laws taking effect this week in Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska and Washington state, motorists convicted of driving drunk will have to install breath-monitoring gadgets in their cars.

The ignition interlocks prevent engines from starting until drivers blow into the alcohol detectors to prove they're sober.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has been conducting a nationwide campaign to mandate ignition locks for anyone convicted of drunken driving, claiming doing so would save thousands of lives.

The American Beverage Institute argues such laws could lead to more draconian measures.

The Associated Press
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