ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Missouri Highway Patrol says drinking and driving was a bigger problem this Christmas than last.

A much bigger problem.

Highway Patrol Captain Tim Hull says the Patrol keeps track of deaths, accidents and DUIs every holiday weekend. While this year the weekend was defined as four days instead of three, the number of DUIs more than doubled.

Last year Christmas was on a Monday, so the weekend was only three days long. This year, with Christmas on a Tuesday, the counting lasted four days.

“The Patrol investigated 209 traffic crashes, including two fatalities and 91 injuries. Also during that time period, the Patrol made 130 arrests for driving while intoxication,” Hull said.

Last year, there were 56 DUI arrests.

St. Louis is responsible for 42 of the 130 DUI arrests this past weekend made by the Missouri Highway Patrol. That’s not counting any made by local police.

Looking ahead, Hull says you can expect plenty of Patrol activity around New Years.

“If they’re going to make alcohol part of their plans for New Years Eve, then they need to make some sort of alternative transportation to get back home,” he said.