DPS: Do not view fireworks from freeways

With Fourth of July celebrations quickly approaching, fireworks will be seen all over the state.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety would like to remind motorists not to stop on the state’s various highways and freeways to observe these celebrations.

During the past several years, DPS has seen motorists take substantial risks by stopping on the sides of highways to observe fireworks. Even more alarming, DPS has observed motorists stopping in the actual travel lanes of highways and freeways to view fireworks.

This behavior been observed on the State Route 202 Red Mountain freeway in Tempe.

During the past few years, motorists have stopped their vehicles in traffic to watch the fireworks originating from the Tempe Town Lake. This not only impedes traffic, but can lead to chain-reaction, serious-injury collisions.