It was a banner year for the Grand Canyon state, home of some of the strictest DUI laws in the nation. Looking back at some of the top Phoenix DUI stories of 2011, we've learned some tried and true lessons for driving safely down the streets of Arizona. Here are our top five:
1. Beware of frozen treats.
Last year, the alcoholic treat making the news was spiked whipped cream. This year, alcoholic frozen treats made the news. From Lee's Cream Liqueur Ice Cream Parlor serving ice cream with adult ingredients to news that alcoholic popsicles will soon be hitting store shelves, it was enough to reconsider the seriousness of "licking-and-driving."
2. Get used to hands-free.
Although Arizona is not one of the 35 states that currently bans texting while driving, recent reports from government transportation safety experts recommending a complete ban of all cellphone and personal electronics use in cars makes us think that hands-free will soon be the norm. You might as well start putting it into practice before it becomes law.
3. Celebrity-status can't get you out of a DUI arrest.
If Mark Grace, the first baseman for the Diamondbacks' 2001 World Series Championship team, couldn't get out of a DUI arrest, there's no hope for any other celebrity, (much less a mere mortal). Maybe they should avoid Scottsdale? Grace, Coco Crisp of the Oakland Athletics and former Coyotes goalie Nikolai "the Bulin Wall Khabibulin" have all been arrested for DUIs in the town.
4. No open containers!
No matter how many times Arizona residents search for news on open container laws, it still remains the same: no open containers of alcohol, empty or full, while you are in a vehicle, regardless of whether you are the driver or a passenger.
5. DUI enforcement is getting more efficient.
We've had several DUI crackdowns this year, the most recent of which occurred during the winter holidays. The Arizona DUI Holiday Task Force, aided by its shiny, new mobile DUI processing centers, netted over 4,000 suspected drunk drivers over the time period. Arizona authorities don't take DUIs lightly, and neither should drivers.
We've enjoyed covering all of the top Phoenix DUI stories for 2011, and we look forward to providing more coverage in 2012!
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
- Arizona DUI Laws (FindLaw)
- The Phoenix DUI Blog (FindLaw)
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