Arizona DUI Rates Rise as Police Get “Ok” to Spend More
Arizona’s DUI rates climbed in 2009, according to several sources. Is this because more people were driving drunk or the police were better at catching them in 2009?
The Associated Press reports that 10,500 DUI arrests were made by the various task forces across the state in 2008 and more than 14,000 were made in 2009.
Whether the rise is due to more incidents of drunk driving or increased enforcement will continued to be analyzed in 2010 as several Arizona communities will see an increase in preventative spending.
According to the Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff just received a $30,000 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to assist in the enforcement of DUI laws.
Interestingly, despite the climb in DUI arrests statewide, Flagstaff saw a drop in DUI related auto accidents, a 40% drop to be exact.
So, how do the police spend their money on DUI prevention and enforcement? Many departments invest in new equipment or more staff. If the city already has a DUI task force, they may use the money for overtime in this department.
One of the biggest expenditures of departments with a DUI task force is the man hours used in operating check points. Sobriety check points are often used on holidays and weekends surrounding big sporting events. They involve the random stopping of vehicles in an effort to catch drunk drivers behind the wheel.
While effectively taking drunk drivers off the streets with arrests, sobriety check points may actually prevent drunk drivers when departments announce roadblock locations ahead of time. Or, drivers may just avoid the know location.
And whether or not stopping every driver on the road is more effective that targeted patrols on the lookout for dangerously impaired driver’s is certainly an open question.
But those details don’t matter much to you if you’ve found yourself arrested and charged with a DUI offense.
For a first time DUI conviction, you are facing Class 1 misdemeanor charges. This conviction can end with a minimum of 10 days in jail, as well as fines, probation, community service, and a required ignition interlock device. And this is just for your first conviction!
If you are facing DUI charges in Arizona and need the assistance of a local defense attorney, I can help. Together we will look at your case and determine the best defense strategy to protect your rights and your freedom to drive. Call me today.
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