Last May, 500 drunk drivers were arrested in Arizona, according to KTAR News, during Cinco de Mayo and the weekend before the holiday, which is commonly celebrated with Mexican fare, including a troublesome mix of margaritas, tequila and beer.
Police proved just how serious they were about keeping drunk drivers off the roads in 2014 with a very effective DUI campaign that lead to more overall traffic stops and fewer DUI arrests, Arizona DUI attorneys Corso Law Group said.
Arizona’s DUI task force was 1,880 officials strong in 2014, up from 1,420 the year before, with officers and deputies making more than 11,000 traffic stops and arresting 500 drivers on suspicion of drunk driving over the holiday weekend from Thursday, May 1 to Monday, May 5, The Arizona Republic reports.
Of the 500 arrests, which was 25 fewer than in 2013, 51 were aggravated DUIs and 155 were extreme DUIs, meaning blood-alcohol contents were over .15 percent, according to statistics released by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The average BAC during Cinco de Mayo and the preceding weekend was .146 percent.
“Plenty of people plan on engaging in alcohol-related activities on Cinco de Mayo,” said Christopher Corso, Corso Law Group’s founding partner. “Unfortunately, several don’t think about how they’re getting home before they start drinking. That’s a big mistake that can land you in jail.”
In Arizona, all DUI offenders, even first offenders, face jail time and expensive fines. Not only are the charges serious but also the potential harm drunk drivers can cause to themselves and anyone else on the road is massive. However, all of this can be prevented by never getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Corso Law Group has handled more than 20,000 DUI cases as defense attorneys and as former prosecutors for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
“Knowing the law and what could happen if you were arrested for drunk driving is an important step Arizona citizens can take,” Corso said. “Being aware of the physical dangers of drunk driving and the legal consequences that could follow should motivate Arizona residents to be safe this Cinco de Mayo.”
Important rights Arizona residents need to know according to Corso Law Group, are their rights to remain silent; only provide certain documents such as insurance, registration and identification; and refuse to submit to all field sobriety tests. In addition, blood and alcohol tests are the only tests DUI suspects should agree to.
To schedule a free consultation with Corso Law Group, please visit https://www.corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616. Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
