Ahead of the July 4th holiday weekend, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Colorado State Patrol have kicked off an enhanced DUI enforcement period. The organizations ask residents to never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
From July 3 to 8, CDOT will support the state patrol and 66 other law enforcement agencies for “The Heat is On” which has saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and an increased presence of law enforcement officers dedicated to arresting impaired drivers, according to a release from CDOT. Last year, 228 people were killed because of impaired drivers, the release said.
Holiday weekends and summer typically result in more travel. Commensurately, the number of people killed by impaired drivers spikes as well. In July of last year, 91 people were killed statewide with 24 involving a suspected impaired driver. It was the deadliest month of the year, according to CDOT.
“Since 2019, 29 people have been killed in crashes involving impaired drivers during the Independence Day travel period,” Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a release. “If you’ll be consuming alcohol or cannabis this Fourth of July weekend, leave the keys behind. Make a plan to get home safely and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
"Do your part to keep Coloradans safe.”
Last year, over half of fatal crashes were caused by people 34-years-old or younger, and drivers aged 25 to 34 often see the highest number of DUI arrests and impaired driving-related fatalities statewide, according to CDOT.
Many fatalities this year could have been prevented, a CDOT official said.
“Alarmingly, of the 81 impaired driving-related fatalities on Colorado roads so far this year, 36 were not wearing their seat belt,” CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk said in a release. “Driving sober, following the speed limit, putting distractions away and wearing your seat belt are the best ways to keep yourself and others safe on the road.”
“If the thought of killing someone doesn’t get through to you, consider the financial impact this crime will have on your life,” Packard said in the release. “Costs go well beyond the fines assessed through the court process, and if you value your time, plan on devoting hours to getting your life back on track.”
A recent calculation finds that the average first-time DUI in Colorado costs $13,530.
"You will be responsible for paying court costs, towing and vehicle storage fees, ignition interlock rental fees, and much more! Plus, anticipate your auto insurance to jump up significantly," according to CSP.
Officials had a warning for out-of-state visitors, as well — any DUI arrests get reported to authorities from the defendant's home state.
"The Interstate Driver’s License Compact includes 45 states and the District of Columbia, ensuring that your home state will receive information about your traffic violations and driver’s license suspension," according to the news release. "At least where your driver’s license is concerned, what happens on vacation does not stay on vacation."
During the same enforcement period last year, CDOT says there were 167 DUI arrests. An earlier campaign, called Summer Blitz, concluded with 370 DUI arrests across almost 80 statewide agencies, including 124 from the state patrol.
The Heat Is On runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. The next centers around the Sturgis Rally from July 31 to August 13.
More information on the campaign, DUI laws in Colorado and other information can be found online.
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