As the ski season winds down in Colorado, the season of outdoor concerts, parties, sporting events, and festivals will now be starting up. This is a favorite time of year to enjoy time with friends, often while enjoying some beer, wine, cocktails, or marijuana as well. With this arrival of warmer weather, CDOT, in collaboration with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 73 local law enforcement agencies, is launching The Heat Is On Spring Events DUI enforcement period from April 4 to 24.
The initiative aims to curb impaired driving by deploying additional law enforcement officers for DUI enforcement across the state. Through saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints, the Colorado law enforcement community hopes to very visibly remind drivers to be responsible and not drive after drinking or using marijuana.
Similar DUI enforcement periods have proven to be very effective in catching impaired drivers. During this same spring enforcement period last year, there were 621 reported DUI arrests. Over St. Patrick’s weekend just a few weeks ago, there was another increased enforcement period, when there were 239 arrests in just a few days, and a similar “Winter Blitz” enforcement in January resulted in 379 arrests. The next period of increased enforcement will be surrounding Memorial Day, from May 15 to June 5.
Data shows that the number of alcohol-related vehicle crashes in Colorado is not surprisingly almost double on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays compared to weekdays. Statistics provided by the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) are sobering, showing that since 2019, impaired drivers have been involved in over 5,500 fatal, injury, and property crashes during weekends, compared to 4,322 Monday through Thursday in that same period.
Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, emphasizes the dangers of impaired driving, highlighting how alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to concentrate and focus. He asserts that even driving while “buzzed” is akin to driving under the influence and can lead to fatal crashes. Darrell Lingk, CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director, reminds individuals that law enforcement will be vigilant during these enforcement periods, ensuring that impaired drivers face consequences for their actions. Law enforcement urges motorists to remain attentive and make responsible choices when enjoying themselves.
Worried about the extra cost of paying for a ride share to get home? Consider this: research suggests that a first offense DUI in Colorado will cost you more than $13,000. This includes court fees, treatment costs, attorney fees, DMV fees, and ignition interlock device costs. This doesn’t include likely loss of income from either missing work, or possibly losing your job, and having increased difficulty in finding a job because of the DUI conviction. As Col. Packard from CSP says, “the consequences of driving under the influence will cost you much more than a taxi or ride share trip.”
With the onset of spring, Coloradans are eager to participate in various warm-weather activities, and get a buzz while doing that. However, it is imperative for everyone to plan ahead and arrange for a sober ride to and from their destinations. By prioritizing safety and avoiding impaired driving, individuals can contribute to the reduction of DUI arrests and crashes.
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