With Memorial Day fast approaching, now is a good time to brush up on the dangers of DUI checkpoints and what you can do to avoid a drunk driving arrest.
Every year, police across Arizona ramp up patrols over Memorial Day weekend, usually starting the Friday before. Memorial Day weekend for 2015 is Monday, May 25 – so watch out for increased police presence starting on Friday, May 22.
Arizona police usually refer to these increased patrols as a “Memorial Day Holiday DUI Task Force.” The department has various task forces for different types of crimes and occasions. For example, there is also a drug crimes task force, New Year's DUI saturation detail, and Super Bowl DUI task forces.
According to authorities, approximately 500 people are arrested throughout Arizona over Memorial Day weekend. Arizona’s latest statistics break down holiday weekend DUI arrests:
- Memorial Day 2010 – 849 arrests
- Memorial Day 2011 – 614 arrests
- Memorial Day 2012 – 547 arrests
These statistics also include those arrested for extreme DUI and underage DUI.
2014 Phoenix PD Saturation Patrol
Last year, the Phoenix police department made saturation patrol information publicly available. It included information about when they would be ramping up drunk driving patrols and where.
Friday, May 23rd thru Monday, May 26th Phoenix Police Department Saturation Patrol (7:00pm - 4:00am): 2710 W. Thunderbird, QT Parking Lot; 1610 E. Highland, QT Parking Lot; Cave Creek & Deer Valley, QT Parking Lot; 1515 E. Buckeye Road Southern Command Station Parking Lot; 2700 W. Thomas, QT Parking Lot
What To Do at a DUI Checkpoint
Everyone should be aware of their rights because, at some point in your life, there is a good chance that you will be stopped at a DUI sobriety checkpoint. Below is an overview of your rights, but remember, a polite demeanor can go a long way at one of these stops. While exercising your rights, be sure to do so in a way that is not offensive or rude.
- You do not have to consent to a search. Be wary of questions like “You don’t mind if I look in your trunk, do you?”
- If you are not being detained, the police must release you. If you are being held for an unreasonable amount of time, just ask the officer if you are being detained. If you are not, they have to let you drive away.
- You do not have to take the standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs). While legally you do have to consent to chemical tests after an arrest, you can refuse to perform the SFSTs.
If you are arrested for drunk driving over this Memorial Day weekend, we encourage you to contact the Phoenix DUI attorneys at MayesTelles PLLC. We are available 24/7 and provide free case reviews for anyone who is facing criminal charges!