Fewer DUI arrests this yearBy Catherine Junia, Independent Newspapers Added police presence and better traffic enforcement seem to have a sobering effect on Northeast Phoenix streets. Fewer drunk-driving related arrests were made within the boundaries of Northeast Phoenix’s Desert Horizon Precinct from January to August this year compared to the same period in 2004. In the eight-month period, the precinct logged 1,072 DUI-related arrests, 10 percent less than the 1,193 arrests made in 2004. Alcohol-related fatal collisions also went down 33 percent to four this year from six the previous year. Phoenix Police Detective Tony Morales attributes the drop in alcohol-related traffic accidents to the deployment of additional traffic and DUI aid units to the precinct’s coverage area. Desert Horizon is bounded on the west by 40th Street, on the east by Scottsdale Road; and on the south by Thunderbird Road, on the north by Jomax Road. “Over the past years, we’ve seen an increase in DUI-related accidents in that area, especially on Bell,” Mr. Morales said. “As a result of that spike, we’ve added extra enforcement and sent out more special DUI units to cover the area.” In 2004, 41 DUI-related collisions were reported in the Desert Horizon Precinct’s coverage area, which was 54 percent more than 2003. Police officers attributed the spike in alcohol-related incidents in Northeast Phoenix to the increase in population, roadway traffic and alcohol establishments. “A lot of those accidents were speed-related collisions,” Mr. Morales said. “With extra enforcement, motorists slow down and now we’re seeing less crashes.” Desert Horizon Precinct Commander Robert Demlong added having more police officers certified for radar enforcement also helps reduce the incidence of DUI-related collisions. |
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At least eight Desert Horizon police officers recently underwent 37 hours of training on the use of radar guns. “When you increase the number of radar certified officers, you also increase the chances of stopping speeders who may be under the influence (of alcohol),” he said. Citywide the number of DUI arrests also went down 10 percent to 4,607 arrests from January to July this year, compared to 5,163 arrests made in the same period last year. Alcohol-related fatal collisions also went down 35 percent to 26 from 40 fatal collisions in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of traffic collisions in Northeast Phoenix went up five percent to 3,702 in the eight-month period ending August, from 3,515 in 2004. Increases in the number of traffic collisions do not always reflect an increase in the number of irresponsible drivers on the road, Desert Horizon Precinct Sgt. Michael Shipley said earlier. Better law enforcement, which also increases the chances for traffic violators to be caught, could also bring up the numbers, he said. This information is courtesy of http://www.newszap.com/ |
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