Earlier this month, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) joined a national coalition to combat drunk driving over the Labor Day weekend. The GOHS initiative put 5,423 officers on patrol, many of them in the Phoenix area. By comparison, there were a total of 1,303 officers patrolling during 2009's Labor Day weekend.
With so many additional officers and taxpayer money being spent, many people felt the results were underwhelming. The police pulled vehicles over slightly more than 30,000 times, only a bit more than double what they achieved last year with roughly 4,000 less officers. More amazing is that DUI arrests rose by less than 100, with 1,407 drunk-driving arrests versus 1,318 in 2009.
On the flipside, some folks believe the smaller-than-expected number of DUI arrests symbolizes a healthy trend in Arizona - less people are drinking and driving. Alberto Gutier, the director of GOHS, explained, "When (DUIs) stay almost the same and increasing the number of officers, someone's doing the right thing." While jokes can be made that the low numbers indicate that some of the extra officers simply took their vacations while in uniform, does Gutier have a point?
An Encouraging Trend in Arizona's Alcohol Fatalities
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided data supporting Gutier's conclusion. In 2006, there were 986 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Arizona, and 807 in 2007. In 2008, the most recent year available for the statistics, traffic deaths involving alcohol plummeted to 658. This drop-off in drunk-driving fatalities is too huge to be a statistical anomaly.
Logic concludes that fewer Arizona residents are driving under the influence of alcohol, but how and why? Law enforcement, stiff DUI penalties, and an abundance of anti drunk-driving campaigns may be the causes. Regardless of the exact cause of the decline, Arizonan families are enjoying safer travel.
Unfortunately, drunk driving is still a problem in the 'Grand Canyon State.' People still make the mistake of getting behind the wheel when they're under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Most of these arrestees are hard-working individuals who make the wrong choice. Regardless of the quality of the character, all offenders face harsh punishment in Arizona.
It is crucial for anyone charged with a DUI to promptly contact a criminal defense lawyer experienced in DUI-DWI defense. Even first-time offenders face jail time, expensive fines, and license suspension. An attorney can help evaluate your defenses, the strength of the case against you, and potentially negotiate plea bargains so that you can get on with your life.
