SAFFORD — Don’t drink and drive.
That’s the message the Eastern Arizona DUI Task Force is sending with DUI saturation patrols taking place throughout the holiday weekend.
The Task Force is funded in part by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
Safford Police Capt. Tyler Cluff said holiday revelers should plan ahead and have a designated driver.
“It is hard to believe that when we arrest someone for DUI, they are often able to call someone to pick up their vehicle. It would be far safer and easier to call for a ride instead of driving in the first place,” Cluff said in an e-mail to Gila Valley Central.
In Arizona, a driver is considered impaired with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08, and extreme DUI is 0.15 or higher.
A first offense DUI conviction carries a fine of not less than $1,250 and not less than 10 days in jail. Offenders must also serve community service, undergo alcohol screening and treatment, and install an interlock device on any vehicle the offender drives.
A first-time conviction for extreme DUI carries penalties of no less than 30 days in jail and at least a $2,500 fine.
