Increased enforcement statewide begins Friday to crack down on drunken or drugged drivers during the holiday weekend.
The special enforcement effort, announced by the Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation, will involve 107 agencies around the state and run until Tuesday.
Last year, 103 agencies arrested 396 impaired drivers during the New Year’s enforcement period. During that time, there were seven traffic fatalities, three of which were the result of alcohol-related crashes.
“People often forget the financial, legal – and most importantly – the safety implications of driving impaired,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, chief of Colorado State Patrol.
“There is absolutely no need to risk driving under the influence with the many transportation options available.”
Nearly a third of all traffic fatalities in 2016 involved an impaired driver.
“It takes one person’s bad decision to change many lives forever,” said Darrell Lingk, director of CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety.
“Plan to have a sober ride before you start celebrating.”
Authorities suggest having a designated driver, using public transportation where available or paying for a taxi or a ride-sharing service.
More than 26,000 people are arrested annually in Colorado on DUI offenses, according to CDOT stats. First-time DUI offenders can be punished with up to one year in jail, license suspension and thousands of dollars in fines, according to the CDOT release.
On average, a DUI can cost more than $13,500 after considering fines, legal fees and increased insurance costs.
Penalties increase for repeat offenders.
The CDOT Highway Safety Office helps pay for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns.
The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 12 enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events.
Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement dedicated to impaired driving enforcement.
More details about the campaign can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.
