Arizona DUI Rate For July 4th Weekend Decreases From 2023

There is a general air lately that everything is getting worse, so it’s important to highlight small victories when they do happen. One thing that almost everyone can agree is negative is drunk driving. Drivers who are under the influence are more likely to cause accidents, and these accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries or death. Police officers are on the lookout for drunk drivers on holiday weekends. In fact, there were a reported 1,700 police officers on duty in Arizona over 4th of July weekend this year. One of the top weekends for DUI arrests is usually Fourth of July weekend. This year, that weekend was July 4-6. Last year, in 2023, that weekend was July 1-4. Although the weekend of 2023 had an additional day, rates of traffic stops and DUI arrests were down in 2024. The average BAC of drivers arrested for DUI was also lower than in 2023. Below are some of the statistical differences for DUI arrests from 2023 to 2024:

• There were 399 DUI arrests for July 4th weekend in 2023 and 335 in 2024
• There were 94 Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.15 or higher) arrests for July 4th weekend in 2023 and 64 in 2024 
• There were 10,603 traffic stops during July 4th weekend in 2023 and 8,431 in 2024
• The average BAC for DUI arrests during July 4th weekend in 2023 was .156 and .143 in 2024
• There were 115 drug DUI arrests during July 4th weekend in 2023 and 92 in 2024

Arizona drivers can be arrested for driving under the influence on any day of the year, not just holiday weekends like 4th of July. This won’t just put a damper on your holiday celebrations, but create lasting consequences that could significantly affect your station in life. A defendant convicted of DUI in Arizona will face restrictions on their driving privileges, mandatory jail time, fines, inconvenient educational courses and community service to complete, and more. Fight back against DUI charges in Arizona by hiring our experienced and reputable criminal defense firm to serve as your legal counsel. Our skilled defenders can use our knowledge and creativity to find solutions like plea negotiation and case dismissal that might not have been available to you otherwise. Schedule your free consultation today by calling 602-661-0988. 

Other Top Holiday Weekends For DUI Arrests

July 4th isn’t the only holiday weekend known for high rates of deadly traffic accidents. Historically, the other top holiday weekends for driving under the influence in Arizona are New Year’s, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. These weekends have unusually high rates of traffic fatalities due to increased traffic from holiday travelers as well as drivers who are under the influence. If you plan to go out and consume alcohol for any of these weekends, we always recommend finding a sober ride home first. Keep in mind that the surge fee for a ride-share service will always cost you less than a DUI arrest. Are you looking for high-quality legal representation against DUI charges from a holiday weekend in Arizona? Schedule your free phone consultation with My AZ Lawyers by calling 602-661-0988. 

Blood Alcohol Content & Why You Should Always Have a Sober Ride

After a drink or two, it can be tempting to tell yourself that you are sober enough to drive, and that you might even be good for one more. But alcohol can lower inhibitions and make a person underestimate their level of intoxication. There are many rules of thumb on how quickly a person sobers up after drinking, but there is a wide variety and there can be other factors at play like what the driver has eaten that day, how much sleep the driver got, if the driver is on prescription medications, etc. Alcohol also remains present in the blood stream longer than some may expect. The bar may actually close before all of the alcohol metabolizes from your system so you are sober to drive. 

It is also risky to drive after drinking (even if you feel “good to drive”) because Arizona’s BAC limit works differently than some other states. Many states have a clear-cut rule that drivers must have a BAC, or blood alcohol content, below .08 while operating a motor vehicle. In Arizona, a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher is considered under the influence. But an Arizona driver can also be considered under the influence with a BAC of .05-.079. For someone of smaller stature or who had a strong cocktail, just one or two drinks could send them past the legal limit of definitely being legally sober to drive. The police officer can use methods like field sobriety tests to determine whether they are too impaired to be driving. Visible signs of intoxication, alcoholic odor, and hazardous driving can all indicate that the driver is impaired as well. 

Extreme DUI arrests may have been down for July 4th weekend in 2024, but there are actually a few other categorizations of DUI in Arizona that can make the charges more serious. Extreme DUI applies to drivers who are arrested with a BAC of .15 to .19. Once the driver’s BAC hits .20, it becomes a Super Extreme DUI instead. The penalties become stricter if the defendant is convicted of Extreme or Super Extreme DUI. All of these forms of DUI are misdemeanor DUI charges in Arizona. A driver can be charged with felony DUI in Arizona as well, but this is based on special aggravating factors rather than the driver’s BAC. Just because a DUI offense is being charged as a misdemeanor as opposed to a felony doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be taken seriously. 

Police officers patrol the roads in high numbers on holiday weekends to monitor for drunk drivers, increasing the odds that someone will be arrested if they drive home after drinking alcohol. Have you been arrested for a high-BAC DUI in the state of Arizona? You deserve a skilled attorney who will explore every option possible to help you achieve a positive resolution from your legal matter. You can learn more about all aspects of your case through a free consultation with our firm. Get started today- call 602-661-0988 for your free consultation by phone. 

Seeking a Skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer To Help You Beat Arizona DUI Charges? Start With My AZ Lawyers.

Whether or not you are convicted, a DUI arrest in Arizona can be quite expensive. Dealing with the consequences of a DUI arrest can be highly stressful without guidance from reliable and knowledgeable legal counsel. Our Arizona DUI defense team knows exactly what it takes to yield the best outcome for our clients’ situations. Don’t let the clock run if you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence in Arizona- it takes time to create a strong legal defense that can help keep penalties low or even result in a case dismissal. Our experienced Arizona criminal defenders are standing by to assist in formulating strong legal strategies for the charges against you. Schedule your free consultation with a dedicated member of My AZ Lawyers today by calling 602-661-0988. Don’t hesitate to contact us today!