New Year's DUI Crackdown — Arizona's Toughest Enforcement Weekend

New Year’s Eve is the single biggest night for DUI arrests in Arizona. Law enforcement agencies across Maricopa County deploy checkpoints, saturation patrols, and undercover units. Despite all of this, people still get behind the wheel drunk — and innocent drivers pay the price.

The Scope

Arizona’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety coordinates statewide DUI task forces over the holiday period. Phoenix PD, Scottsdale PD, Mesa PD, DPS, and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office all participate. Hundreds of additional officers are on the road.

But enforcement can only catch a fraction of impaired drivers. Our crash data shows the late-night hours on weekends and holidays are the second-deadliest time window on Phoenix roads — and DUI is the primary driver.

Your Rights After a Holiday DUI Crash

If a drunk driver hits you, the criminal case against them is separate from your civil claim. You don’t have to wait for the criminal case to resolve before pursuing compensation. And a DUI arrest dramatically strengthens your civil case — it establishes negligence per se and opens the door to punitive damages.

Don’t forget the dram shop angle. If the driver was overserved at a bar or New Year’s party venue, the establishment may share liability.

Stay safe tonight. Use a rideshare. And if you need us — the Law Badgers answer calls 24/7, even on holidays. (833) DTF-IGHT.