Facing charges related to drunk driving can be very upsetting for residents across Arizona. Drivers know that we are not supposed to get behind the wheel after drinking, but people can make mistakes. Unfortunately, authorities are very aggressive in their pursuit to arrest people for these mistakes and they implement various initiatives in an attempt to curb the number of alcohol related incidents.
A new study published in the journal Pediatrics has found that fewer children are being killed in drunk driving accidents. A 40 percent decline has been witnessed in the previous decade. The study also suggests that children are more likely to be killed in alcohol-related accidents when they are in the same car with an intoxicated driver, rather than in a car that is struck by a drunk driver.
While many residents of Arizona might believe that celebrities and professional athletes can avoid the consequences of DUI charges due to their status, a former NFL player proved recently that this is not always true. The former quarterback was arrested in December when, according to court records, he was reportedly driving at 81 miles-per-hour on a road with a posted maximum speed of 65 miles-per-hour in Arizona.
Since medical marijuana was legalized in Arizona in 2010 questions have arisen about what should actually be defined as impairment under the influence of the drug. Last year, the Arizona Court of Appeals held that motorists can be prosecuted for DUI when there is evidence of marijuana in the system even when impairment cannot be proven.
Law enforcement increasingly uses developing technology in its efforts to detect traffic violations. While subjective field sobriety tests such as walk and turn tests and eye movement are still used, more objective data is being gathered using more sophisticated video technology.
