Arizona Sees Drastic Increase in DUI Arrests for 2011

Arizona DUI law is among the strictest in the United States, with a first-time misdemeanor charge costing at least $1,250 in fines, a minimum of 10 days in jail, a required ignition interlock device, and the potential for receiving community service. If a person receives an extreme or super extreme DUI, the fines are at least doubled, and jail time can be as much as 30 or even 45 days.

These laws show that Arizona officials and lawmakers take DUIs very seriously. It is no surprise, then, that Arizona police officers are extremely vigilant about making DUI arrests.

Since 2003, the number of DUI arrests made in Arizona has increased every year, according to a report by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The jump from 2010 to 2011 was especially troubling, increasing from 19,350 arrests in 2010 to 27,120 arrests in 2011, a rise of over 40%.

It wasn’t just the total number of DUI arrests that increased, either. Every single category of DUI saw an increase in arrests. Extreme DUI arrests (those with a BAC higher than .15) were 7,631 in 2011, increased from 5,926 in 2010. The number of DUI misdemeanor arrests increased by 40%, going from 17366 in 2010 to 24438 in 2011, and aggravated DUI increased by 35%, going from 1987 in 2010 to 2687 in 2011.

The only exception to this increase is the average blood-alcohol content recorded. Among those tested, the average decreased from .153 in 2010 to .151 in 2011, which is still higher than any years other than 2009 and 2010.

The drastic increase in DUI arrests doesn’t necessarily mean that there are more drunk drivers on the road, though. The number of officers performing DUI arrests increased by almost 20%, indicating that many police forces are taking a more active stance against DUI.