The Arizona Department of Public Safety released a new reportthat shows an increase of drivers driving the wrong way on the road.
From April to December of last year there were just over 1,100 calls about wrong-way drivers statewide. Out of those calls, 16 were serious injury collisions and 71 drivers were arrested for a DUI.
This year, the department received over 840 calls. A little over a dozen of those calls resulted in serious injury collisions, while 51 drivers were arrested for a DUI.
"We are seeing it statewide," said Trooper Kameron Lee, Arizona DPS's PIO. "If we continue at this pace we are going to be well ahead of of last year."
He explains there were several instances where they stopped drivers going the wrong way on Interstate 19 and 10. He explained drivers typically drive on the wrong side of the road between 1 and 4 a.m..
The department plans to take extra precaution this holiday weekend by increasing enforcement and using unmarked cars.
Trooper Lee advises that if you see a wrong-way driver, pull over to the right side of the road and report it.
