685 Arrests, 12 Killed In California During Labor Day Weekend

CALIFORNIA -- Hundreds of motorists have been arrested this holiday weekend for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, the California Highway Patrol announced Sunday. With just one day left over during the Labor Day weekend, the CHP said 10 motorists and two pedestrians have also been killed.

Statewide, at least 685 drivers have been arrested for suspicion of drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs, according to the CHP.

CHP officers began ramping up patrols on state highways Friday and plan to through Monday to catch impaired drivers and other traffic violators as part of the agency's annual Labor Day weekend crackdown.

The CHP's "maximum enforcement period" is slated to end at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

"Impaired driving remains one of the most serious traffic-related problems on our roadways today," CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said in a statement. "Let's end the summer safely and remember to designate a sober driver, wear your seat belt, and obey all traffic laws."

During last year's maximum enforcement period for Labor Day weekend, 30 people died on California roadways, according to the CHP. The CHP arrested more than 1,000 motorists on suspicion of DUI statewide throughout the holiday weekend.

The CHP's maximum enforcement period coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, which runs Aug. 17 through Sept. 3.

--Patch photo by Renee Schiavone/Kristina Houck contributed to this report