How to Celebrate Independence Day Outside of Jail (and Where the Cops Will Be)

The great American getaway is well underway, as are police efforts to prevent drunken drivers from celebrating the nation’s independence with a bang of the wrong sort.

Statistics from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety show DUI arrests climbed last year over the Independence Day holiday, after falling sharply the year before.

Last year, authorities busted 507 DUI drivers on the Fourth, a 4 percent jump from 2015. They also cited 93 others on DUI drug charges.

By comparison, authorities last year popped 552 DUI drivers over Memorial Day, 378 during Cinco de Mayo, and 342 over St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

AAA of Arizona is predicting a busier than usual holiday getaway this year, with gas prices falling to their lowest levels in years for the Fourth. The auto club says historically low summer gas prices are fueling 865,000 Arizonans to travel at least 50 miles this year. That’s a 2.5 percent jump over last year.

That’s a lot of folks on the road and a lot of potential for mayhem.

That’s why AAA advises people who have had too many to call 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357) and ask for a “Tipsy Tow.” Give the operator the driver’s name, home address, phone number, and location of the driver and car.

If not, you may find yourself dealing with these folks. Here, from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, are the high enforcement spots around the Valley this July 4:

EAST VALLEY DUI TASK FORCE
Saturation Patrol
June 30
7601 East McKellips Road, Scottsdale PD

ASU PD, DPS,
SCOTTSDALE PD, TEMPE PD
June 30
Gilbert and Baseline roads

GILBERT PD, MESA PD
July 1
7601 East McKellips Road

ASU PD, DPS, CHANDLER PD, SALT RIVER PD,
SCOTTSDALE PD, TEMPE PD
July 1
Gilbert and Baseline roads

GILBERT PD, MESA PD
July 2
7601 East McKellips Road

ASU PD, DPS, SCOTTSDALE PD, TEMPE PD
July 3
7601 East McKellips Road

ASU PD, DPS, CHANDLER PD, MESA PD,
SCOTTSDALE PD, TEMPE PD
July 4
7601 East McKellips Road

ASU PD, DPS,
DLLC, SCOTTSDALE PD, TEMPE PD,
WEST VALLEY DUI TASK FORCE
Saturation Patrol
July 1 (7 p.m.-3 a.m.)
8350 West Van Buren, Tolleson

PHOENIX PD
Saturation Patrol
June 30 and July 1  (6 p.m.-4 a.m.)
1610 East Highland Street, QT (2 Vans)
2212 East Bell Road, QT
3443 South Central Avenue
630 East Missouri Avenue, Circle K
2250 East Thomas Road, QT
July 2-3 (9 p.m-4 a.m.)
1610 East Highland Avenue, QT (2 Vans)

BUCKEYE PD
Saturation Patrol
June 30, July 3-4 (6 p.m.-4 a.m.)

GILBERT PD
Saturation Patrol
July 4

GLENDALE PD
Saturation Patrol
June 30, July 2-4 (Street Racing Detail with DPS and
Phoenix PD)

GILA RIVER PD
Sustained Enforcement
June 30-July 4 (7 p.m.-3 a.m.)

MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Saturation Patrol
July 2 (1-8 p.m)
Power/202 Park and Ride (River Day)
July 4 (6 p.m.-4 a.m.)
120 North Robson

MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Lake Patrol
July 2 (noon-10 p.m.)
Lower Salt River, Station 500
July 3 (3 p.m.-midnight)

ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DUI TASK FORCE
10-Lane Boat Ramp, Lake Pleasant
July 4 (noon-10 p.m.)
Lower Salt River, Station 500

PARADISE VALLEY PD
Enhanced Enforcement
June 30-July 4 (6 p.m.-2 a.m.)

PEORIA PD
Saturation Patrol
June 30, July 2-4

SALT RIVER PD
Saturation Patrol
June 30  (6 p.m.-4 a.m.)
Pima and Chaparral roads
July 2-4 (6 a.m-11 p.m.)
within jurisdiction

SURPRISE PD
Saturation Patrol
July 4

TOLLESON PD
Sustained Enforcement
June 30, July 2-4