Phoenix — On January 20, 2020, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) was awarded $100K grant by the DUI Abatement Council, $20K more than the previous year. The DUI Abatement Council is administered by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The funding will be allocated by the Department’s Highway Patrol Division through December 31, 2020, for overtime staffing and employee related expenses during aggressive DUI enforcement throughout the state.

This funding provides the Department the capability of deploying troopers into areas that statistically, experience higher alcohol-related injury and fatal crashes. Additional troopers in these areas will help to increase the chances of stopping impaired drivers before a serious or even deadly crash happens.

Collision investigations, disabled motorists, debris, criminal violations, court proceedings and other administrative assignments typically reduce the amount of proactive patrol time a regular duty trooper can conduct; this grant will increase the proactive patrol time for troopers which allows them to target impaired drivers specifically.

“We would like to thank the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and the DUI Abatement Council for all of their support. The money will be put to good use in our pursuit to stop impaired drivers statewide, adding to our overall effort to make Arizona roadways safer for everyone.” Said Lt. Colonel Jenna Mitchell, Assistant Director, Highway Patrol Division.