CSP looks to lower DUI numbers

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. ( KREX ) – Colorado State Trooper Sam Goure said, “I will tell you that as 11 years as a trooper and working in four different counties. I’ve never seen anything on this level right now, the level of irresponsibility when it comes to driving under the influence, just blowing me away is something that has to stop.”

Mesa County is seeing a rising number of DUIs. According to Goure, during a two-night statewide surge enforcement operation in late September, state patrol arrested nine drivers impaired by alcohol.

“The biggest problem that we see is multiple time offenders,” Goure said.

He says the enforcement team worked 16 hours and the nine drivers they arrested represent 8% of the 120 drivers pulled over.

“A majority, or a lot of our interactions with impaired drivers are people that are on their second, third, fourth or even more DUIs,” Goure states.

Officials tell WesternSlopeNow the average number of DUI arrests made at traffic stops have gone up by around 10% to 15% over the last four years and every year is progressively getting worse.

Rebecca Green, state executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, states, “My husband had been involved in crashes where luckily, he had walked away and the other driver had been impaired on cannabis. And that was unsettling for all of us. But it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to meet with the families that we work with to see just how devastating this seemingly nobody pays attention to DUI crashes until it happens to them.”

As a parent, Green told WesternSlopeNow it is best to teach your children at a young age regarding driving under the influence.

Green states, “I have younger children, but I am concerned. I’m already having those conversations with them about driving safely and what that looks like. What is an impairing substance and why might somebody take that?”

The best course of action is to be proactive.

“One loss of life is too many. And so for us, we’re encouraged when we see proactive DUI enforcement that’s focusing on getting unsafe drivers to a place where they can be safe again,” Green explains.

“The best advice I could give to somebody is to plan ahead. Anybody that plans ahead for a family member to pick them up, or a place to stay for the night or even a ride share,” Goure said.

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