With Nearly 27,000 DUI Arrests in Arizona This Year, Phoenix DUI Lawyers Corso & Rhude Urge Caution this New Year’s Eve
Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) December 30, 2014 -- Nearly 27,000 DUI arrests have been made in Arizona in 2014, according to Phoenix DUI lawyers Corso & Rhude, who closely monitor DUI statistics in the state.
The number may be down from 2013, according to statistics issued by Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, but the DUI lawyers at Corso & Rhude know that New Year’s Eve can still prove deadly for Arizona drivers.
“Late November marks the beginning of the most dangerous time to be on the roads in Arizona," said John Rhude, an Arizona DUI lawyer and founding partner in the Arizona criminal defense firm Corso & Rhude. “With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve packed into two months, the potential risk for drunk driving and Arizona Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests is much greater.”
Thanksgiving drunk driving is dangerous enough, totaling 372 DUI arrests over the four-day weekend this year. While that arrest statistic is down from 424 in 2013, the most dangerous time is yet to come, Rhude said.
According to stats provided by the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, more than 8,000 DUI arrests were made in Arizona between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve from December 2012 to early January 2014.
A total of 4,054 arrests were documented from November 23, 2012, to December 31, 2012, and 3,942 were documented from November 25, 2013, to December 31, 2013. Aggravated DUI statistics increased slightly, while extreme DUIs declined by more than 100 arrests.
In Arizona, a standard DUI is classified as driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more or 0.04 percent in a commercial vehicle. If the driver is younger than 21 years old, a zero tolerance law takes effect. An extreme DUI is classified as driving with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher. An aggravated DUI is a DUI with a suspended license, third DUI offense within 84 months, or a DUI committed while driving with a passenger 15 years old or younger.
This is the first time in 10 years that the number of DUIs actually decreased from the previous year according to the DUI enforcement statistics released by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. There were around 29,000 DUI arrests in 2013, down from more than 32,000 in 2012.
“Even if the annual DUI rate has decreased, the holiday risk is ever present,” Rhude said. “Unfortunately the danger is real and just as pressing this year as last, even if the numbers don’t show it.”
People let their guard down during the holidays when responsible drinking is not one of the highest priorities, Rhude said.
Corso & Rhude know from experience that the holidays influence the number of Arizona DUI arrests made. However, every DUI case in Arizona is different, which means, having an experienced Arizona DUI defense attorney is more important than ever.
With more than 40,000 DUI cases handled as prosecutors and defense attorneys, Corso & Rhude lawyers will do everything in their power to protect and defend clients. The Law Office of Corso & Rhude is known for its vigorous defense of clients as well as using its lawyers’ previous experience with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to their advantage.
To schedule a free consultation, please visit http://www.corsorhude.com or call (480) 471-4616. The Law Office of Corso & Rhude, PLCC is located at 14500 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 116 in Scottsdale, Arizona, 85260.
Al Stevens, The SPR Agency, http://thespragency.com/, +1 (480) 648-1770, [email protected]
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