Is Your Car On The List Of Top 10 Vehicles With The Most DUI Citations?

Have you ever wondered which types of vehicles have the most DUI citations in the U.S.? You don’t have to wonder any longer, as experts have released a list on the vehicles most associated with driving under the influence. Anyone can receive a DUI in any motorized vehicle, but these vehicles have approximately twice as many DUI citations per 1,000 as compared to the national average. In fact, you may want to be weary of these vehicles if you see them on the road, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings in nightlife areas. You might even find your own vehicle on the list! If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Phoenix or Tucson, you need a skilled defender to help reduce or avoid the strict penalties for conviction in Arizona. Schedule your free case evaluation with our office by calling 602-661-0988.

What Are The Top 10 Vehicles For DUI Citations?

There are a wide variety of makes and models on the Top 10 list for DUI citations. These vehicles all have DUI citations at almost double the normal rate of 19 per 1,000 drivers. Some of the vehicles on the list are out of production and only available as used models, while others cost north of 6 figures for a new model. This just goes to show that anyone can be found guilty of driving under the influence, even if they presumably have the funds to afford a sober ride home. 

1. GMC C1500: The Chevrolet C/K series of trucks was in production from 1960 to 2002. While it is an older vehicle, the GMC C1500 is considered by some to be a classic and can still come with a hefty price tag. 
2. Chevrolet Astro: This minivan was produced from 1985 to 2005. As the newest Astro still on the road is nearly two decades old, this vehicle can be purchased for about $4k-$15k.
3. Chevrolet Caprice: This full-size car reached its peak popularity in 1965 and was produced through 1996. This vehicle has been used as a police vehicle in the past, and can be purchased for approximately $9k-$15k, although some classic models go for as much as $40k. 
4. Mazda Mazda3: The Mazda3 was first introduced in 2003, and is still in production to this day. It is a compact vehicle that gets approximately 37 miles per gallon on the highway. 
5. Acura Integra: Like many of the vehicles on this list, the Integra was discontinued. Unlike the discontinued vehicles, the Integra was brought back with a modernized design based on the Honda Civic. A new Acura Integra costs about $30k. 
6. BMW 2-Series: The first BMW on the list is slightly more affordable than the second, but still out of most drivers’ price range. Despite a price tag that looks more like an annual salary, 
7. Chrysler Concorde: This vehicle was produced from 1992 to 2004. The price range for a used Concorde is $2k-$7.5k.
8. Jaguar S-Type: Jaguar discontinued this model after rolling out the 2008 model of the S-Type. 
9. Audi A4 allroad: This vehicle isn’t an all-terrain vehicle as the name suggests. However, it is designed to look like a rugged SUV. With trim and options, a new model of this vehicle can go for as much as $60k. 
10. BMW 7-Series: The last vehicle on the list is also the most expensive. A brand new 7-Series can set the buyer back around $130k. 

What The Police Look For When Patrolling For Drunk Drivers

Arizona has notoriously strict DUI laws, and you can bet that the police are out in full effect to enforce them at peak DUI times like weekend nights and holidays. A police officer must have reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred to stop a driver to check their sobriety, and probable cause that the driver is intoxicated to place them under arrest for DUI. This may have you wondering what gives police reasonable suspicion for a DUI check. 

There are many indicators of intoxicated driving that give police reasonable suspicion to stop a driver. Oftentimes, that reasonable suspicion comes from driving mistakes that give the officer justification to pull over the driver regardless of their intoxication level. For example, if a police officer pulls over a driver for speeding and then notices signs of intoxication like bloodshot eyes and the scent of alcohol, speeding would be sufficient reasonable suspicion to pull over the driver. Swerving is another common indicator of intoxication that gives police reasonable suspicion to stop a driver. Some behaviors might not get you pulled over on a regular day, like failure to use turn signals or headlights after the sun has gone down, but might tip off a police officer to impaired driving during peak DUI hours. Rolling through stop signs is another common reason that police officers pull over drivers who later receive DUI citations. Essentially, anything that could result in you receiving a traffic citation can also result in adequate reasonable suspicion for the police to investigate for DUI. 

The constitutional requirements for reasonable suspicion and probable cause to investigate and make an arrest for driving under the influence can draw questions about the legality of DUI checkpoints. A DUI checkpoint is a mandatory stopping point on a public road for the police to briefly investigate drivers to confirm that they are sober. DUI checkpoints have continuously been upheld in courts as constitutional, but they must be executed in a fair and reasonable manner to retain that status. For example, the police can’t only investigate white males who appear to be under 30 years old at a DUI checkpoint. However, investigating every third vehicle, regardless of who is behind the wheel, would be constitutional. Do you need to review the facts of your DUI arrest with an experienced Arizona DUI attorney to determine if your constitutional rights were violated? Contact our firm for your free consultation at 602-661-0988. 

Zero Down DUI Lawyers In Arizona

Arizona doesn’t let drivers convicted of DUI off with a slap on the wrist like some other states might. A DUI conviction in Arizona carries a mandatory jail sentence, in addition to penalties like expensive fines, probation, driver’s license restrictions, etc. If you want to avoid these types of consequences, you need a defense attorney who will fight tirelessly for your interests. Because jail time is on the line, DUI defendants in Arizona have the right to a public defender assigned to their cases. However, public defenders have large caseloads and don’t always have the time and resources to give every DUI case the attention it deserves. Additionally, you can still be charged for a public defender’s services if the court finds that you have the financial resources to do so. If you get charged for a public defender’s representation and end up with negative outcomes in your case, it could be much more costly than hiring your own private criminal defense attorney. Our Arizona DUI defense team offers unbeatable legal defense services with payment options starting at Arizona Zero Down DUI. Schedule your free case evaluation today by calling 602-661-0988.