PHOENIX — This past Cinco de Mayo weekend there was a more than 10% drop in the number of Arizonans arrested for driving under the influence.
Data from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said the total number of DUI arrests this year was 289. That’s down from last year’s DUI arrests that came in at 323.
The state also saw a decrease in extreme DUI cases with 53 arrests, which is down from 72 arrests from last year. An extreme DUI refers to times when a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is higher than 0.15%.
Additionally, there was a drop in criminal speed citations.
State law enforcement officers issued 137 criminal speed citations this year, a reduction from a 150 in 2024.
Arizona drivers had less DUI arrests but could improve in other areas
However, there were more civil speed citations issued this Cinco de Mayo weekend. Officers handed out citations to 2,207 people this year, which was a sharp rise from the 1,827 civil speed citations handed out last year.
Arizonans were also a bit more preoccupied this year with 149 drivers being cited for distracted driving versus 66 drivers getting cited in 2024. Distracted driving citations overall saw a more than 77% increase from last year.
Drivers were also more careful about buckling in their little ones this year.
There were only 20 child restraint citations, while there were 26 last year and 30 the year before.
The state also saw an improvement in drivers strapping themselves in before heading out to celebrate. Officials issued 146 seat belt citations, while they issued 171 in 2024 and 210 in 2023.
Arizona law enforcement officers were less busy this year with 7,190 traffic stops this year versus 6,671 traffic stops last year.
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