YPD increases DUI patrols surrounding Thanksgiving holiday

Many people will be traveling in and out of Yuma for Thanksgiving–using the long weekend to celebrate the holiday.

To help prevent impaired driving, The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is supporting the Yuma Police Department by providing funds that will allow for more officers patrolling the roads.

Starting Wednesday, November 23 through Saturday, November 26, the Yuma Police Department will have additional officers stopping and arresting drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. YPD says impaired driving is one of the deadliest and most committed crimes in the country.

“It’s just important to keep the streets safe–we have a lot of people out on the roads visiting family,” says Officer Edith Ruiz. “We have people coming in from out of town. If you’re going to go out and you know you’re going to drink, make arrangements to have a sober driver. If you do have a friend or family that you see cannot drive, offer to drive them home. Take their keys away and make sure they’re not going to get into a vehicle and drive.”

The additional officers will be patrolling Yuma along with all regularly scheduled officers.