Increased patrols for impaired driving
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation
CDOT created this large-scale display, featuring an oversized beer and wine glass, to reinforce that a single alcoholic drink can impair a person for two hours and that the only appropriate time to drive is with a blood alcohol content of zero.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is joining forces with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies statewide to help prevent impaired drivers from threatening the safety of others on Colorado roadways. Law enforcement will be on high alert during the Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period through October 28.
So far this year, 102 deaths on Colorado roads are attributed to impaired driving. As traffic volumes continue to shift back to normal, Coloradans need to be aware of the present issue of impaired driving. CDOT and law enforcement urge all Coloradans to drive sober or make sober arrangements to travel safely to and from their destinations this fall.
Last year, the Fall Festivals heightened DUI enforcement period included 99 law enforcement agencies with 1,534 arrests. Eighty-four agencies plan to be involved this year with increased patrols.
“Last year, as the seasons changed, we saw a spike in DUI arrests,” said Colonel Matthew Packard, chief of CSP. “Our message is simple; if you choose to drink, don’t endanger others. You have options to avoid a needless tragedy, and we know what to look for to help keep our Colorado roadways safe.”
The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips at HeatIsOnColorado.com.
