Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Award Grant to Kingman Police Department for DUI and Impaired Driving Enforcement

Kingman, AZ -The Kingman Police Department has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety. The funds will be used to pay for officer's time and employee-related costs for enhanced targeted efforts of DUI and impaired driving enforcement throughout the City of Kingman from October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020. The goal of the Impaired Driving Program is to reduce alcohol and drug-related driving fatalities and injuries through enforcement, education, and public awareness throughout the State of Arizona. The Kingman Police Department actively participates in the Western Arizona DUI Task Force, which includes the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and other local area agencies along the Colorado River. The Western Arizona DUI Task Force will conduct DUI saturation patrols throughout the year during holidays and special events when incidents of impaired drivers are higher.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is commonly referred to as “Wild Turkey Wednesday”, and the Kingman Police Department is kicking off the holiday DUI enforcement season in partnership with the Western Arizona DUI Task Force by conducting saturation patrols. The officers will be out looking for impaired drivers. The aggressive enforcement will occur every weekend from this weekend through New Year's Day.

The Kingman Police Department encourages people to plan ahead and obtain a designated driver as the cost of driving impaired is high. The penalties if you choose to drive impaired include jail time, thousands of dollars in fines and court fees, suspension of driving privilege and license, vehicle impoundment for a mandatory 30 days, and other expenses. There are consequences to human life as well. In 2018, Mohave County had 176 alcohol-related crashes which resulted in 8 fatalities and 94 injuries (ADOT 2018 Arizona Crash Facts).

The Kingman Police Department wishes everyone a safe holiday season. If you choose to drink, use a designated driver, rideshare, or taxi service. If you suspect an impaired driver please contact your local law enforcement agency.