DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Driving under the Influence of alcohol or any other illegal substance is against the law. Drivers who drive under the influence jeopardize innocent bystanders by doing so. In 2006 there were 35,877 DUI arrests and statistics show that approximately 3.55 persons are killed each day. Drinking Drivers were involved in 23.73% of all fatalities in the State of Arizona. In Maricopa County alone there were 5,078 alcohol related crashes, killing 175 and injuring 3,474 people. (Source: Arizona Department of Public Safety &  Arizona Department of Transportation)

Because of this growing problem, the State of Arizona has passed some of the toughest DUI laws in the Nation. In doing so, the state hopes to reduce DUI arrest as well as fatalities. Currently under these new laws, if convicted, a defendant will have to install a certified ignition interlock device on their motor vehicle at the expense of the defendant.

This problem does not only affect adults, but youth as well. Underage drinking continues to be a problem among our youth. In 2006, alcohol-related fatalities in Arizona attributed to 107 youth deaths.
(Source: The Century)

Driving after drinking even a small amount of alcohol can put you at risk of getting a DUI. Please use these tips to help keep our community safe:

• Don't ride with someone who's been drinking.
• Stop an intoxicated person from driving.
• Offer to be a non-drinking driver for friends.
• Report suspected drunk drivers to the police.
• Call a non-drinking friend for a ride home.

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