AZDPS Prepares for Memorial Day Traffic Enforcement Throughout the State

Phoenix — Beginning May 25, troopers statewide will be targeting impaired drivers, distracted drivers, fatigued drivers, unrestrained occupants and speeders through various focused enforcement operations. Troopers and roadside motorist assistants will also be patrolling for stranded motorists. The goal is to reduce fatality and injury collisions statewide and insure people get to their destinations safely.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) is also encouraging everyone to take action during the holiday travel season by:

• Reporting all dangerous driving behavior via 911
• Refraining from all distractions while driving
• Reporting all stranded motorists and other safety concerns via 911
• Prepare yourself for safe travel

Also, do not:

• Litter cigarettes
• Drag trailer chains
• Stop on dry roadside vegetation

“So far this year we have lost 136 people to fatal collisions on Arizona highways, a 24 percent increase from the same time frame last year. This Memorial Day Weekend our troopers will be patrolling throughout the state enforcing speed limits, looking for distracted and aggressive drivers, and targeting impaired drivers,” said Colonel Frank Milstead, AZDPS Director. “I am calling on the public to help reach our goal of zero fatalities this holiday weekend. Safe roads this holiday weekend begin with you, your actions can save lives. Give yourself extra time, slow down, buckle your seat belt, and don’t drive impaired.”

Be aware of state and national park closures and fire restrictions due to extremely dry conditions throughout the state. State owned and managed lands in Apache, Navajo and Gila Counties are closed for recreational use. Coconino County lands south of the Grand Canyon are also closed.

For information about fire restrictions, see the updated Fire Restriction map below, or go to www.firerestrictions.us.

Statewide focused traffic enforcement:  

Tan Days

During this Memorial Day holiday weekend, sworn personnel from our Criminal Investigations Division will don their tan uniforms along with troopers usually assigned to administrative duties, to help augment the efforts of the Highway Patrol Division with traffic enforcement.

Northern Arizona

• Mohave County
  • DUI task force participation May 25
  • Speed enforcement May 28
• Coconino County 
  • Distracted driving enforcement May 25 and 26.
• Navajo and Apache Counties
  • Distracted driving and speed enforcement May 25-27
  • Seat belt enforcement May 26
  • Speed enforcement May 28
• Gila County 
  • DUI task force participation May 25-27
  • Hazardous violation and seat belt enforcement May 25
  • Seat belt enforcement May 27
  • Hazardous violation enforcement May 28

Central Arizona/Phoenix

• East Valley
  • DUI task force participation May 25-28
• West Valley
  • DUI task force participation May 26-28
  • May 25 – 28 speed and seat belt enforcement
• Pinal County 
  • DUI enforcement and seat belt enforcement May 25
  • Speed and hazardous violations May 27-28

Southern Arizona

• Yuma and La Paz Counties
  • DUI enforcement May 25-28
• Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee Counties 
  • Eastern Arizona DUI Task Force participation May 25 and 28
  • Southern Arizona DUI task force participation May 26
  • Traffic enforcement May 25 and 28

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

• Southern Arizona 
  • Distracted driving and traffic enforcement May 26-28