The California Highway Patrol says that more than half of the people who died in California accidents over two and a half days of the holiday period were not wearing seat belts.

During the first 60 hours of the Fourth of July period 16 deaths that occurred in CHP jurisdiction were vehicle occupants not wearing seat restraints. In addition one of two motorcyclists who died was not wearing a helmet.

The CHP says there were at least 29 traffic deaths in the state from the start of the holiday period Thursday evening through 6 a.m. Sunday. In the same holiday period last year there were 24 traffic deaths.