Over the past several years, DPS has seen motorists take substantial risks by stopping on the sides of highways to observe fireworks. Even more alarming, DPS has observed motorists stopping in the actual travel lanes of highways and freeways to view fireworks. This behavior has frequently been observed on the State Route 202 Red Mountain freeway in Tempe.
During the past few years, motorists have actually stopped their vehicles in traffic to watch the fireworks originating from the Tempe town lake. This not only impedes traffic, but can lead to chain reaction serious injury collisions.
DPS officers will be out in force along the 202 freeway to keep traffic moving and to issue tickets to drivers who are paying more attention to the fireworks than their driving.
We encourage motorists to completely exit the highway or freeway they are traveling on if they choose to observe any fireworks that may be seen. Motorist must keep in mind that their safety, as well as the safety of other motorists, is at risk when drivers stop on the highway for non-emergency reasons.
