Don't say we didn't warn you that Arizona law enforcement would be out in full force over the holidays to nab Thanksgiving drunk drivers.
The Southern Arizona DUI task force was particularly active over the extended weekend, making 52 Thanksgiving DUI arrests, reports the TucsonSentinel.com.
The high number of arrests could be related to the high intolerance police showed towards impaired driving. Officers arrested any driver "found to be impaired to the slightest degree from the use of alcohol and/or drugs," according to Tucson Police Department (TPD) Sgt. Chris Andreacola.
The DUI task force was comprised of officers from the TPD, Pima County Sheriff's Department, University of Arizona Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Oro Valley Police Department and Marana Police Department.
The task force took a comprehensive approach to catching suspected drunk drivers, deploying from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.
Among the arrests, 20 of those were charged with extreme DUI (blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or above), 5 were underage drinkers, and 9 had prior DUIs. The average BAC of the suspected drivers was 0.178, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.
DUI convictions in Arizona can lead to severe penalties, including jail time, high fines and fees, and the installation of an ignition interlock device in your car. If you were caught by the Southern Arizona DUI task force, you may want to consult an experienced Phoenix DUI attorney. He or she may be able to help you prepare your defense in court.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
- 52 Arrested by DUI Holiday Task Force (Arizona Daily Star)
- Defenses to Drunk Driving (FindLaw)
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