DUI Patrols Planned For Memorial Day Weekend In Colorado

ACROSS COLORADO -- As Coloradans head into the unofficial start of summer, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol will be ramping up their DUI patrols for Memorial Day weekend.

Starting Friday and running through Tuesday, May 29, almost 100 local Colorado law enforcement traffic patrols will be crawling the roads where DUI drivers are likely to be found as part of The Heat Is On enforcement. Increased patrols aim to crack down on impaired drivers.

Enforcement can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired-driving enforcement, CDOT said.

The sobering statistics: Of Colorado's 193 statewide roadway fatalities so far in 2018, more than one-out-of-three (69) involved impaired drivers.

If you plan to imbibe or get high at a concert, barbecue or graduation party, plan ahead for a sober ride to and from holiday festivities, police urge.

During last year’s Memorial Day weekend enforcement period, 98 law enforcement agencies cited 332 motorists for DUI, CDOT said.

“Last May, 25 people were killed on Colorado roads in impairment-related crashes. That accounted for nearly 50 percent of all road fatalities that month and the third highest total of any month in 2017,” said Darrell Lingk, director of CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety in a statement. “With warmer summer months ahead, CDOT hopes drivers make plans for a sober ride home before heading out to parties and events where they will consume alcohol.”

So far this spring, a five-week DUI enforcement period has racked up 1,850 DUI arrests from 95 law enforcement agencies. This was a decrease from the 1,958 arrests during the same enforcement period last year, CDOT said. The Colorado Springs Police Department (199), Denver Police Department (175) and Aurora Police Department (128) recorded the highest arrest totals.

Advice from law enforcement agencies:

• Colorado's Click It Or Ticket campaign is underway so buckle up, it's the best defense ifyou're in a crash.

• Drive sober – Plan your designated driver and take the keys away from friends or family that are drinking this weekend.

• Never drive distracted – Put down your phone and just drive; Avoid other distractions thatdiverts your full attention to the road.

• Report drunk drivers – Call 9-1-1.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs significantly impairs a person’s ability to drive,” said Col. Matthew Packard, Chief of the CSP in a statement. “Consuming any amount of alcohol or other drugs can cause impairment. If you are ever unsure if you are safe to drive, always opt for a sober ride home — you could save lives.”

Find out more at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

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