Executive Summary Key Findings & Observations
Arizona established its formal, statewide Court Monitoring program in 2008. Since its formation, MADD staff and volunteers have monitored tens of thousands of cases through funding made available largely from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). It is MADD’s hope that these efforts will ultimately further MADD’s mission to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, serve the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking to create a world of No More Victims®. Unfortunately, we aren’t there yet. In the most recent data from 2020 by the Arizona Department of Transportation, 181 people were killed in alcohol related crashes, and 2,183 additional individuals were injured. Arizona alone saw a total economic loss of $2.3 billion dollars due to alcohol related crashes. In addition, some challenges that were noted include an increase in dismissed cases due to a backlog in the drug/blood testing results. While the prosecution has 12 months to refile, it allows the offender back on the road with no consequence and therefore, no reason to change their behavior. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, during the pandemic, researchers found that a small group of people increased their time spent on the roads. This group was younger and disproportionately male, which statistically is the riskier demographic behind the wheel than the average population. Two of the top risky driving behaviors included alcohol impaired driving and driving after using cannabis(3). In 2021, the data shows that 6.5% of cases involved people who are under age 21. As a part of MADD’s lifesaving mission, we know that underage drinking prevention is crucial to the health and wellbeing of Arizona’s youth and essential in creating a future without impaired driving. MADD provides two programs in the fight against underage drinking: Power of You(th)® and Power of Parents®. MADD Arizona needs your help to create the generation that will eliminate substance impaired driving. Reach out to your local MADD Arizona office to plan a Power of You(th)® and Power of Parents® presentation and do your part to prevent underage drinking. Visit madd.org/Arizona today! IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY DRUNK OR DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING, MADD IS HERE TO HELP. CALL OUR VICTIM/SURVIVOR 24-HOUR HELPLINE AT 877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435). MADD Arizona will continue to monitor the adjudication process of DUI and DUI Drug cases in 2022 thanks to the efforts of MADD volunteers and the continued funding provided by GOHS. Volunteers are key to the success of MADD Arizona’s Court Monitoring program. We’d like to say thank you to all our dedicated volunteers!
(1) Richard, C. M., Magee, K., Bacon-Abdelmoteleb, P., & Brown, J. L. (2018, April). Countermeasures that work: A highway safety countermeasure guide for State Highway Safety Offices, Ninth edition (Report No. DOT HS 812 478). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2)Brad Uren, M.D. How Alcohol Impaires Your Ability to Drive. 29 July 2016. <https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/how-alcohol-impairs- your-ability-to-drive>. (3)NHTSA. 2020 Fatality Data Show Increased Traffic Fatalities During Pandemic. 3 June 2021. Web Page. 23 March 2022.
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