Bad Driving Day: Be careful out there...

Bad Driving Day: Be careful out there today. Fridays, says the National Safety Council, produced more fatal automobile accidents in 1995 than any other day--18% of them. Thursday was second with 14.5%. . . . But Officer Bill Mulvhill of the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division says that around here it’s kind of tough to tell which day is the worst. “We have accidents 24 hours a day. Every day.”

Police PALS: The East Valley Police Activity League Supporters, better known as PALS, is gearing up for next week’s big fund-raiser, the 28th annual Police Community Partnership Luncheon. . . . Proceeds go to build a new North Hollywood police station. Featured speaker: Christopher Darden.

Chimp House: Who says the real estate market isn’t what it used to be? New occupants just moved into a three-level, 3,800-square-foot house, valued at $4.5 million, near the Hollywood Hills. . . . Granted, they’re the chimpanzees at the Los Angeles Zoo, but it’s a swanky place nonetheless (B1).

Signature Hunt: For backers of a petition drive to create a panel to reform Los Angeles government, the good news is that more than 200,000 signatures have been collected--3,000 more than they need to get on the ballot. The bad news: about 20% of such signatures are usually tossed out as invalid. . . . They have until Oct. 30 to collect more. More political news in the Political Briefing (B5).