Arizonans drove more safely during St. Patrick’s Day this year than in 2024, new DUI report finds

PHOENIX — Arizonans are getting somewhat better at respecting the roads while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, according to a new report from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

This year, authorities conducted a total of 110 DUI arrests, according to a Wednesday report.

It’s a big drop from the 206 in 2024 and the 273 in 2023.

Other 2025 St. Patrick’s Day DUI report findings

Not only that, but there were fewer aggravated DUIs — 11 this year compared to 24 the year before — and DUI misdemeanors, with 99 this year and 182 in 2024.

Also, in 2024, there were 67 extreme DUI cases. Authorities use the term extreme to refer to times when a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds 0.15%.

This year, there were 18 extreme DUI cases.

There were also fewer seat belt citations, with 49 in 2025 compared to 72 the year before, along with fewer child restraint citations and under-21 liquor law citations.

Additionally, there were 40 criminal speed citations, which marked a massive fall from the 114 the year before. There also were only 874 civil speed citations, while there were 1,302 in 2024.

What’s bad about the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day DUI report findings?

However, there was also some bad news.

Distracted driving citations were up this year, with 55 compared to the mere 38 the year before.

There were also more evaluations conducted by Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) this year.

In fact, 24 DRE evaluations took place this year, while there were 16 last year.

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