Halloween treat: few DUI arrests reported
By JIM SECKLER
Wednesday, November 1, 2006 6:56 PM PST
The Daily News
KINGMAN - Few arrests and no alcohol-related crashes spelled good news this Halloween holiday.
The Mohave County Sheriff's Office conducted a driving under the influence campaign from Friday through Tuesday resulting in six DUI arrests, including one felony, in the populated areas of the county such as Mohave Valley.
The average blood alcohol level for the DUI arrests was 0.139. The maximum blood alcohol level allowed under Arizona law is 0.080.
Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheahan said he was pleased that his office did not have any alcohol-related traffic crashes since Friday.
More than 40 percent of fatalities in traffic crashes on Halloween night involve a driver who has a blood alcohol level of more than 0.080, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Make no mistake,” Sheahan said. “Our message is simple. Drunk driving. Over the limit. Under arrest. If we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses.”
MCSO Sgt. Don Bischoff, the sheriff's office DUI task force coordinator, said he wants to conduct sobriety checkpoints in the coming months.
“Drunk driving is not worth the risk,” Bischoff said. “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant.”