Honor the Fallen

Cindy CastilloLaw News, Arizona Law


Although the Memorial Day holiday weekend is a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, please remember the true meaning of this special day. On this day, we remember and celebrate, and most importantly, we express our thanks as Americans to the countless number of men and women who have served in our military since the inception of our country and who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom. We also celebrate and firmly support those individuals currently serving in the armed forces and thank them and their families for their commitment and service.

To assist in your celebration and to help keep you safe and out of jail as you take to the highways for weekend getaways in the sun and sand or in the cool pines of the high country, we want to remind you of some important travel precautions and warrant roundups and saturation patrols in the desert.

  1. Follow all traffic laws and pay attention – use your traffic signal, obey the speed limit, and don’t tailgate;
  2. Inspect your vehicle before getting on the road to include checking for tire pressure; battery and fluids, and ensure headlights and taillights are in proper order;
  3. Minimize distractions with navigation, cellphones, or the radio by having your passenger be the navigator, your secretary, or the DJ in the car;
  4. Insist that all occupants wear seat belts or are in approved car seats;
  5. Map your route ahead of time;
  6. Do not drive under the influence;
  7. Keep an eye out for drivers who show one or more of the following signs of impairment:
    Stopping well before or after a stop sign; abnormal braking and accelerating patterns; swerving; drifting onto the shoulder; not using headlights when driving; using the wrong turn signal; and almost hitting the curb. If you believe a nearby motorist may be suffering an impairment, don’t try to address the situation by yourself. Keep a safe distance and notify authorities so they can respond to the situation.
  8. If you are in an accident or you are having car problems make sure and pull off the highway if possible. Vehicles pulled to the side of the road pose hazards to other motorists passing them.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued this warning regarding the Memorial Day Weekend:

On Wednesday, May 24, DPS troopers throughout Arizona began targeting and arresting those with outstanding DUI warrants as a preemptive strike to habitual DUI offenders. DPS Troopers will also participate in multiple DUI task forces, DUI saturation patrols, speed enforcement operations, distracted driving patrols, seat-belt enforcement, aggressive and hazardous driving patrols and collision reduction patrols. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers will also be out enforcing state and federal regulations. Additionally, troopers and roadside motorist assistants will be on the lookout to help stranded motorists stopped on the side of the road.

The following are details occurring in Central Arizona/Phoenix Valley:

  • Metro Central – DUI warrant round-up May 26. DUI saturation patrol May 26.
  • Metro East – Speed enforcement conducted by DPS motors May 27.
  • Metro West, Metro South and Night Watch – West Valley DUI task force participation May 26, 27.
  • Capitol District – Focused patrol for anticipated additional foot and vehicular traffic.

For more information on warrant round ups and saturation patrols, please visit: https://www.azdps.gov/news/releases/804

If you have not made plans for the weekend, check out some of these events at:
https://www.arizonahighways.com/events

https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/events/2017/05/17/memorial-day-weekend-2017-events-phoenix-around-arizona/308502001/

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/phoenix-memorial-day-weekend-parties-scottsdale-tempe-9355034

The Castillo Law family is proud of its military connections and considers it an honor and a privilege to assist veterans and active military members when they need legal assistance. Have fun this weekend but most of all, be safe!