SOUTHWEST VALLEY

Buckeye cruiser shows cab fare cheaper than DUI fines

Matthew Casey
The Republic | azcentral.com
The Buckeye Police Department has recycled an old police cruiser to help drive home a DUI prevention message in advance of the Fourth of July weekend. Police transformed an old Ford Crown Victoria into half police car, half taxi. The police side says a DUI will cost about $8,500, while the cab side says a ride is about $50.

A DUI conviction costs far more than cab fare.

The Buckeye Police Department has recycled an old police cruiser to help drive home that message in advance of the Fourth of July weekend.

Scroll down for our interactive infographic

"There's people who've lost their jobs (because of a DUI)," Buckeye police Officer David Grossman said. "They've lost their homes. They've had marriage problems. That's a lot more than $50 to take a cab home."

Grossman helped create a design that transformed an old Ford Crown Victoria into half police car, half taxi. The police side says a DUI will cost about $8,500, while the cab side says a ride is about $50.

The vehicle is parked outside Buckeye police headquarters in the Southwest Valley and will be displayed during increased holiday enforcement efforts. The department is one of several agencies that make up the West Valley DUI Task Force and is scheduled to conduct saturation patrols the night of July Fourth.

Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety helps coordinate holiday patrols. Director Alberto Gutier praised Buckeye's idea to repaint the cruiser.

"It's a message we've been giving for a long time – designate a driver," Gutier said. "It's so easy to call a cab, call a friend (or) sleep it off. Don't get behind the wheel."