The Apache Junction Police Department — in partnership with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety — would like to remind everyone that it’s not only illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol it can be absolutely deadly.

With that in mind, AJPD will be out in full force this summer with the intention of identifying and arresting impaired drivers and enforcing other Arizona traffic laws, according to a release.

AJPD’s traffic division has recently been given $20,158 in grant support from GOHS for traffic enforcement. The funds will be used to purchase technology that will increase the efficiency of the officers investigating traffic collisions and enforcing Arizona traffic laws, the release states.

AJPD will be purchasing barcode scanners, Bluetooth printers and premium paper packs. AJPD traffic enforcement vehicles will also be equipped with Arizona Traffic and Criminal Software (TraCS) and e-ticket capabilities. TraCS is an electronic citation and collision program which is now required to be used by police departments throughout the state of Arizona. The program allows officers to scan identifications, driver’s licenses and vehicle registration forms directly into the Arizona Department of Transportation’s system rather than handwriting the information on forms and inputting the data later.

The increased efficiency will decrease the amount of time AJPD officers and motorists spend on the side of the road while the officers write citations or investigate collisions. In addition, the accuracy of the data collected on scene is expected to increase as officers will no longer have to manually input the information.

“An active and well equipped traffic enforcement division is essential in making Apache Junction a safer place to live and raise a family,” Apache Junction Police Chief Thomas E. Kelly said in the release. “We are truly grateful for the continued support of Gov. Doug Ducey and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, specifically under the leadership of Director Alberto Gutier. GOHS has and continues to provide the much needed support for local motor vehicle safety programs here in Apache Junction and the State of Arizona.”