In Mesa, Arizona, local police agencies have been actively working to curb drunk driving this Memorial Day weekend. The East Valley Task Force, a collaborative effort among police departments, has reported a significant increase in DUI arrests compared to previous years.

As of Friday, May 22nd, the task force has conducted over 1,025 traffic stops, resulting in 116 DUI arrests and 45 other arrests, along with more than 587 citations issued, according to Mesa Police Sgt. George Chwesaid.

The DUI processing center is strategically located under the 202 Freeway near Power Road, a key exit point from the popular Salt River and Saguaro Lake recreational areas. These spots are known for attracting large crowds, often involving alcohol consumption, during the holiday weekend.

Jesse Torrez, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, noted that the trend of rising DUI arrests is not necessarily negative. “It’s encouraging that more officers are out here making those arrests. Our fatality rate is down and that’s what’s very important through the efforts of these officers,” he said.

In previous years, the number of DUI arrests during Memorial Day weekend was 405 in 2024 and 436 in 2025. Officials anticipate that 2026 will see even higher numbers, reflecting increased enforcement efforts.

The first DUI arrest on Memorial Day Monday occurred at 11 a.m., highlighting the early start to the day’s enforcement activities. Torrez remarked, “At 11 o’clock, if you’re already over that limit, you can kind of tell what the rest of the day is going to be.”

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety plans to release the final DUI totals for the weekend, including the number of extreme DUI cases, in the coming days.

Original reporting: 12News / KPNX (Phoenix) — read the source article.