Thanksgiving DUI Arrest Statistics: A Look at the Numbers

The Law Office of James Novak has helped people throughout the greater Phoenix area with DUI defense and legal counsel following drunk driving arrests. We believe that everyone should receive good legal representation and a fair shake from the law to make sure that our system works.

Tuscon News Now recently reported on the number of drunk driving arrests in Arizona over the recent Thanksgiving weekend (Friday, November 28th through Monday, December 1st). The numbers came from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, though the findings have yet to be posted on their official website. We’d like to look at some of these numbers right now as they can offer some insight into drunk driving trends during holiday weekends.

A Downturn In Arrests and Traffic Stops

According to the numbers, DUI arrests during the Thanksgiving weekend were down 12.26% from last year, with 424 total arrests in 2013 but 372 this year. This is likely due to the fact that the total number of vehicles stopped went down by 10.8%.

Considering Underage DUI Arrests This Year

The numbers from the Governor’s Office also show a slightly reduced number of underage DUI arrests this year. In 2013, there were 23 underage DUI arrests, while this year there were 22. Even though this is a negligible decrease in numbers, they are perhaps to be expected since there were fewer total traffic stops this year overall.

An Increase In Repeat DUI Offenders

While the numbers may have been down with arrests and total stops, there was an increase this year in repeat DUI arrests. In 2013, 32 people were arrested with a repeat DUI arrest, while this year, the number increased to 46 arrests. Repeat DUI offenses such as these are considered felony DUIs, whereas regular DUI arrests are treated as misdemeanors.

An Increase In Aggravated DUI Arrests

In addition to repeat DUI offenses, aggravated DUI arrests increased this year. Aggravated DUI is also considered a felony and occurs when a person is driving drunk with a suspended or revoked license, has a passenger age 15 or younger in the vehicle while driving drunk, or has committed three or more DUI offenses within the last 7 years.

In 2013, there were 36 total aggravated DUI arrests, while this year, there were 43 total aggravated DUI arrests.

Average BAC Shows Extreme DUI Arrests

The legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08%. However, arrests during the holiday weekend were in excess of that number, almost twice the legal limit, in fact. When a person’s BAC is 0.15% or higher, they will be charged with an Extreme DUI rather than a more traditional drunk driving charge, which has more severe penalties.

This year, the average BAC of arrested motorists was 0.152%, meaning that those arrested were extremely intoxicated. There were 105 Extreme DUI arrests made over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Read the Tuscon News Now Report for Yourself

For a full breakdown of the numbers in 2013 and 2014, we encourage you to read the Tuscon News Now reports by clicking this link. This can help provide some perspective on the nature of these arrests and these incidents.

We’d also like to add that with Christmas and New Year’s fast approaching, be sure to be safe and responsible when you are behind the wheel.

Contact The Law Office of James Novak

If you or someone you care about has been charged with drunk driving, be sure to speak with an attorney to ensure you get a fair shake from the law. To schedule a legal consultation, contact our DUI defense law firm today. We at The Law Office of James Novak are committed to providing a robust defense and solid legal counsel.