Few areas of the law impact the average citizen as much as Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The Arizona Supreme Court wrote about this public health threat in analyzing the powers of the police to investigate persons driving under the influence: �[T]he threat to public safety posed by a person driving under the influence of alcohol is as great as the threat posed by a person illegally concealing a gun.�

�Drunk driving,� the court said on another occasion �has become a problem of epidemic proportion in Arizona and other states throughout the country, and must be effectively dealt with to satisfy the public�s outcry against this crime.�

Law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges must have access to current information about the legal issues and new technology that can be applied to DUI cases. The 2002 Governor�s Office of Highway Safety Summit provides a forum for law enforcement and prosecutors to learn about changes in the law and other issues relevant to the investigation and prosecution of DUI offenders. The law enforcement officers attending are most often assigned to the statewide DUI Task Forces. A separate forum for judges will be held to discuss many of the same issues from a judicial perspective.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The 2002 Governor�s Office of Highway Safety Summit consists of two conferences (held consecutively) presenting information and materials that are relevant for each audience. The first conference is designed for law enforcement and prosecutors, and the second is for judges. The Summit was created to:

• Aid law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges in the apprehension of DUI offenders and preparation of DUI cases; and

• Provide updated information on the relevant statutes, cases, strategies, technology, and procedures that impact DUI cases.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The conference format consisted of presentations and provided opportunities for discussion among peers. Additionally, there were many hands-on demonstrations of law enforcement procedures and equipment used in apprehending DUI offenders. The conference also provided an innovative opportunity for judges to be exposed to law enforcement techniques and gain first-hand knowledge of the reliability of DUI apprehension methods.

RESULTS

More than 300 law enforcement personnel and prosecutors and 150 judges attended the conference. The attendees� feedback was very positive and the information gained has been used effectively to impact DUI cases. The next summit will be held in September 2002, and will be available to all law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges within the state.