Impaired Driving Education Awareness virtual program

The City of Mesa will be hosting the Impaired Driving Education Awareness (IDEA) live streamed event Tuesday, June 1 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The program will consist of a panel of DUI investigative experts, prosecutors, victims and others impacted by impaired driving.

The panel discussion will occur live so the community can participate and learn firsthand what happens during a DUI investigation, how driving impaired by any substance is dangerous and get information about changes in the law. You can watch the event at www.Mesa11.com/live, the City of Mesa's YouTube channel or on the City's Facebook page.

Each panelist will lead the discussion on various aspects of impaired driving:

George Chwe, a Mesa police officer, will talk about impairment and how it doesn't always mean being drunk, high or stoned. Chwe, who is the state coordinator of the Drug Evaluation Classification Program for the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, will discuss common misconceptions of DUI laws, zero tolerance, and how much alcohol, medications and marijuana can you consume before driving. He will also provide DUI statistics across Arizona.

Stacey Good, Assistant City Prosecutor, will explain the recent passage of Proposition 207 and how recreational marijuana use changes the prosecution of DUIs in Arizona. She will also talk about marijuana impairment versus being high or stoned, marijuana as an impairing substance and how it is unsafe to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence.

Joe Sullivan, Manager of Victim Services for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), will talk about MADD and the services it provides to victims and how DUIs affect us as a community, both locally and nationally. He will also provide state and national DUI statistics.

Danny Montoya, survivor of DUI, will tell his story about the tragic loss of his son, which was directly caused by impaired driving. He will explain how impaired driving and driving impaired is dangerous to the community.

For more information about the impact of impaired driving and recent changes in the law, visit www.mesaaz.gov/cannabisandDUI and https://www.madd.org/#.


Public Information and Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov