DUI Stats and Holidays: Times When Drunk Driving Is Higher

Here at The Law Office of James Novak, we fight diligently for those in and around Phoenix who have been accused of drunk driving. We offer strong DUI defense strategies and legal representation, with a focus on your civil liberties and ensuring our justice system is fair.

It’s not uncommon for drunk driving arrests to go up during holidays. As the year winds down, let’s consider some numbers with regard to holidays and drunk driving.

Arizona Drunk Driving Statistics During Halloween

Halloween is coming up and it’s a great chance to dress up and have fun. Police officers are often on the lookout for drunk drivers and people who are publicly intoxicated.

According to 2012 statistics, 48% of all fatal crashes on Halloween were the result of drunk drivers. In Southern Arizona in 2014, there were 399 DUI arrests and citations handed out for drunk driving.

Arizona Drunk Driving Statistics During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a major travel time for many people throughout the country, and it’s also a potentially deadly time of year. In 2013, 10 fatal crashes led to 13 deaths. Three of these collisions were alcohol-related.

In 2014, there were 372 DUI arrests during the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2013, there were 424 DUI arrests during this same timeframe.

Arizona Drunk Driving Statistics During Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Christmas and New Year’s Eve is another major stretch of holidays for family, friends, and merriment. It can also be a potentially dangerous time of year for anyone on the road who’s even slightly buzzed. Checkpoints and traffic stops are common near the end of the year to keep drivers in line.

According to numbers from a report by The Republic at the beginning of 2015, there were roughly 9,685 officers who were assigned to patrol drivers and traffic during the end of the year holiday season.

Putting These Numbers Together

The holiday season really is a busy time of year for police officers and the alcohol task force. According to a 2013 article published in The Republic, 4,371 people were arrested on drunk driving charges from November 24th to January 1st.

Of that nearly 4,400 people, 1,098 were arrested on suspicion of extreme DUI, 450 were arrested on suspicion of aggravated DUI, and 934 motorists were arrested for a standard DUI charge. The average BAC of those arrested/cited was 0.15, almost twice the legal limit.

Other Major Holidays Mean a Potential Increase in DUI Arrests

Just because we’re focusing on the end of the year holidays doesn’t mean arrests and potential traffic stops aren’t high throughout the rest of the year. Other holidays and holiday weekends such as Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day all often experience spikes in DUI arrests and traffic citations.

How an Attorney Can Help You

No matter what time of year your arrest occurred, speaking with a skilled DUI defense attorney is your best bet for getting a fair shake from the law. An attorney will work closely with you to ensure that all of your legal options are explored and that you get to assert all protections and privileges guaranteed to you by the Constitution.

Contact The Law Office of James Novak

For more information about your legal options following a drunk driving arrest, be sure to contact a DUI and criminal defense attorney today. At The Law Office of James Novak, we will help you mount a strong defense and fight for all of your legal rights every step of the way.