Governor Doug Ducey announced his budget for Fiscal Year 2019 and it is with great appreciation to review his recommendations for additional funding provided in support of public safety. The Governor’s budget provides funding to combat the opioid crisis, expand DPS Night Watch operations to respond to wrong way drivers, and increase patrol coverage in Southern Arizona.
Wrong-way drivers are a nationwide problem, and happen all too often in Arizona. During 2017, there were over 1,700 wrong-way drivers reported in Arizona. The Governor’s budget recommends $1.4 million to expand DPS Night Watch operations in the Phoenix area to 50 troopers. Additional troopers will increase coverage to more quickly respond to reports of wrong-way drivers, or other dangerous driving reports, within the Phoenix area.
However, the best resource to stop a wrong-way driver starts with you, the public. Most wrong-way drivers are impaired drivers; if you, or someone you know, have been drinking, don’t get behind the wheel. We are just days into 2018 and DPS troopers have already intercepted and arrested three wrong way drivers on Arizona highways suspected of impairment.
In his State of the State address on January, 8, 2018, Governor Ducey said, “if you break the law, our troopers will have their sights set on you, because we’re targeting even more efforts here: An enhanced ‘Wrong-Way Driver Night Watch,’ with resources to match. We’re going to zero-in on these criminals, with the goal of stopping these accidents and saving lives.”
I want to thank Governor Ducey for his continued support of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and making public safety in Arizona a priority within his budget.
– Colonel Frank Milstead
Director, Arizona Department of Public Safety
