Authorities Crack Down on Impaired Driving at 2026 WM Phoenix Open

Governor's Office releases enforcement statistics for safety task force at annual golf event.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Authorities have released data on the enforcement actions taken by a special safety task force during the 2026 Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The numbers show a slight increase in DUI arrests and other citations compared to the previous year's event.

Why it matters

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is one of the largest annual sporting events in Arizona, drawing tens of thousands of spectators. Ensuring public safety at such a large gathering is a top priority for local law enforcement, especially when it comes to impaired driving.

The details

According to the data released by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, the 2026 safety task force made 109 DUI arrests, 35 DUI drug arrests, 113 civil speed citations, and 21 distracted driving citations. This represents a slight uptick from the 2025 event, which saw 80 DUI arrests. More than 130 officers and deputies participated in this year's task force enforcement efforts.

  • The 2026 Waste Management Phoenix Open took place in February 2026.
  • The Governor's Office released the enforcement statistics on February 9, 2026.

The players

Governor's Office of Highway Safety

The state agency responsible for overseeing traffic safety initiatives and enforcement operations.

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What’s next

The Governor's Office has indicated they will continue to monitor safety and enforcement efforts at future Waste Management Phoenix Open events to ensure the safety of spectators and the surrounding community.

The takeaway

The increased enforcement presence and DUI arrests at the 2026 Waste Management Phoenix Open highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining public safety at large-scale events. While the overall event was deemed successful, the data underscores the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to address impaired driving and other safety concerns.