City of Sierra Vista Cracks Down on DUI, Aggressive Driving

When I first moved to Arizona more than three decades ago, I was amazed at how polite drivers were. Everyone used their turn signal regularly, tailgating was rare, and many drivers even gave a friendly wave as they passed on some of our more minor roadways.

Things have certainly changed. I hate to belabor this point, but since the end of the COVID lockdowns, drivers are not the same. I know a lot of people moved here from other states. Streets and highways are more crowded, and that small, hometown feeling has almost disappeared.

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How Is Sierra Vista Making Streets Safer?

The City of Sierra Vista has noticed the change, too, and they're doing something about it. According to a press release from the city, they've received a grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety. The grant will boost traffic safety efforts and help make our streets safer.

At a recent City Council meeting, officials gave the go-ahead to accept a $77,854 grant that will help local law enforcement crack down on impaired and aggressive drivers across Sierra Vista and nearby areas.

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What Does the DUI & Aggressive Driving Crackdown Mean for Sierra Vista?

The city will work across Sierra Vista and Cochise County to make our streets safer. The grant will help cover overtime and related costs for our officers participating in Southeastern Arizona DUI Task Force deployments.

The grant will fund more officers on the road during peak times when impaired driving tends to spike, especially on holidays, weekends, and during significant events like the festivals held in Veterans Memorial Park.

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Equipment Funding for Law Enforcement

The grant will also help fund support equipment, like a breathalyzer, to collect evidence during a DUI stop. The grant has earmarked $1,354 for a new preliminary breath test device, plus the necessary mouthpieces. This tech upgrade helps officers quickly tell if someone’s been drinking or using a substance that causes impairment, making our roads safer for everyone.