Saturation patrols posted statewide for Independence Day weekend

State troopers will focus their enforcement patrols in areas where statistics have revealed a higher frequency of injuries and fatalities resulting from crashes related to dangerous driving behavior. The focused enforcement during the Independence holiday weekend, July 1-4, is designed to promote safe and expeditious travel along Arizona’s highways.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) will participate in or conduct DUI task forces, saturation patrols, aggressive driver enforcement, commercial vehicle enforcement and assisting stranded motorists.

“The enforcement corridors selected for the holiday weekend are based on crash data collected from 2015, and the intent is to save lives through aggressive traffic enforcement in and around those corridors,” said DPS Lt. Col. Daniel Lugo, assistant director of the Arizona Highway Patrol.

Regionally for Maricopans, that means DPS saturation patrols in Casa Grande and at Rawhide. The latter venue is hosting a July 2 event, and traffic from 4 to 11 p.m. is expected to cause traffic congestion on Interstate 10 in south Phoenix and west Chandler.

Northern Arizona DPS Operations

Commercial vehicle enforcement will increase along I-40 from the California border to the New Mexico border and I-10 west of metropolitan Phoenix. The focus is on reducing fatal and injury crashes involving commercial vehicles and non-commercial vehicles.

Apache County – Saturation patrols

Cottonwood and Camp Verde – Participation in the Marshal’s Office DUI patrols

Flagstaff – Conduct aggressive driver enforcement

Gila County – Conduct saturation patrols

Kingman – Saturation patrol partnership with Kingman PD

Navajo County ­ Participation in saturation patrols

Page – Aggressive driver enforcement

Yavapai County – Participation in the Tri-City DUI Task Force

Central Arizona DPS Operations

Central and East Valley – Participation in various multi-agency DUI task forces

Lake Pleasant – July 3 no parking will be permitted along SR 74. DPS and Peoria PD will be patrolling and citing violators. Further traffic restrictions may be enacted if the park reaches capacity for campers and / or boat parking fills up. Restrictions are anticipated 9–11 p.m. for a fireworks show.

Peoria – July 4th Fireworks show expected to cause traffic congestion along the Loop 101. DPS will conduct saturation patrols along the Loop 101.

Phoenix – July 4th Event being held 6-10 p.m. at Third Street and Indian School; fireworks show expected to cause traffic congestion on nearby freeways beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Tempe Town Lake – July 4 Saturation patrols from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. Drivers who stop on Loop 202 at Tempe Town Lake to watch the fireworks, continue to be a problem. Last year troopers cited a number of drivers for literally stopping on the freeway to observe the fireworks. Several collisions were reported in the area. This year troopers will provide aggressive enforcement aimed at educating and if warranted, citing drivers and removing vehicles that stop on the Loop 202 bridge over the Tempe Town Lake.

Valley wide – Aggressive driver enforcement

Westworld – July 2 saturation patrols along Loop 101 from 9 to 11 p.m. Fireworks show expected to cause traffic congestion on Loop 101 beginning at 9 p.m.

West Valley – July 2 participating in the West Valley DUI Task Force hosted by Glendale PD

Southern Arizona DPS Operations

Commercial vehicle enforcement will increase.

Yuma – Increased staffing and saturation patrols along with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office. 10-mile traffic-safety campaign along I-10 between the California / Arizona state line and the Maricopa County line. Participation in the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force. Saturation patrols and a focus on seatbelt and distracted driving enforcement

Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties – DPS will conduct saturation patrols and participate in the Southeastern Arizona DUI Task Force as well as the Eastern Arizona DUI Task Force.