Southern Arizona M.A.D.D. honors PCSO for DUI enforcement

Thursday Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was an honored speaker at the 2009 Southern Arizona Mothers Against Drunk Driving Awards dinner in Tucson. The annual event recognizes the commitment made by individuals to make the streets of our communities safer through aggressive impaired driving enforcement and continued education.

Babeu was formally recognized during the event for his support of the “Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force.” Since taking office in January, Babeu has made traffic safety in Pinal County a high priority. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, through partnership with the Governors Office of Highway Safety, has been able to secure $320K in funding for the purchase of a DUI van to assist officers and deputies with the processing of impaired drivers arrested during DUI Task Force events.

Grants Coordinator Tim Gaffney also secured funding for the purchase of two police motorcycles and $120K in funding for overtime pay for agency officers participating in the Task Force Operations. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office now has five deputies on motorcycles who are fully committed to DUI and traffic enforcement throughout Pinal County.

Sheriff Babeu believes high visibility, zero tolerance enforcement, as well as impaired driver education is at the foundation of any successful effort to reduce drunk driving and one of the ways to ensure those traveling the roads of our state are safer.

“I am committed to ensuring those who travel the roads of Pinal County can do so safely,” said Babeu. “I proudly accept this award on behalf of all the officers and agency leaders throughout Pinal County who have committed to stand unified against those who choose to drive while impaired.”

Sgt. Matt Thomas was also recognized for his contribution and commitment to the eradication of impaired drivers on our roadways. Thomas supervises the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit and is the coordinator for the Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force. Agencies participating in the Pinal County DUI Task Force include the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Casa Grande, Gila River, Apache Junction, Coolidge, Florence, Eloy, Ak-Chin and Maricopa Police Departments. The Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force deployments make a formidable force in the fight against impaired driving.

During 2009 Pinal County has had a total of 3,755 motor vehicle collisions. Out of the collisions, there were 86 people killed and another 1,890 people injured. Over 50 percent of the fatal collisions in Pinal County involve alcohol-impaired drivers. Each year nearly 500 people are killed on Arizona’s roadways as the result of alcohol-impaired crashes – a staggering 17,000 deaths nationally each year.

“How much is too much? If you have to ask, you already have your answer. If you’re going to drink, be responsible and plan ahead for a safe, sober ride home,” said Babeu.

Submitted photo