Officials say comparison between 2005 and 2006 not precise
because of longer weekend
By Rachelle Gines Staff Writer
Gilroy – The number of driving under the influence arrests in South County during the Fourth of July weekend nearly doubled, with the California Highway Patrol reporting nine DUI arrests compared to five DUI arrests in 2005.
However, CHP Public Information Officer Chris Armstrong said that since the July 4 fell on Tuesday this year, the comparison of DUI arrests between 2005 and 2006 is not precise.
“Based on the same weekend in 2005, with an extra day in 2006, DUI arrests this year are significantly higher,” Armstrong said.
The CHP reported zero DUI fatalities, and zero DUI traffic collisions for the 2006 4th of July weekend.
Although the number of DUI arrests increased, Armstrong said people were safer as a result.
“The good thing is those drivers were arrested prior to being involved in a collision, or hurting other individuals,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong also said the number of traffic collisions on U.S. 101 for the 2006 holiday weekend were nearly the same as 2005. The CHP reported 15 traffic collisions for 2006 and 12 collisions for 2005.
Traffic along U.S. 101 was typically heavy for the holiday, Armstrong said. But he added traffic was not as heavy as expected due to the lack of motorcycle traffic that came with the cancellation of the unofficial Independence Day Rally in Hollister.
More than 80 percent of the Gilroy and Hollister CHP officers patrolled South Santa Clara county during the weekend. Officials were brought in from out of the area to patrol San Benito county, Armstrong said.
Rachelle Gines is an intern attending San Francisco State University. Reach her at 847-7158.
