COLORADO – The HEAT IS On campaign is underway in time for the Super Bowl and we’re not talking football here, it’s more like a highball. The Colorado State Patrol and statewide law enforcement agencies, along with CDOT are conducting statewide DUI enforcement starting Friday and continuing through February 4th.
Law enforcement may conduct increased patrols, saturation patrols and traditional checkpoints during the enforcement period. “CDOT wants Super Bowl fans to have their own game plan if they choose to celebrate with alcohol this weekend,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “Fans should have a sober ride or use a ridesharing service, taxi or public transit to get home safe after the big game.”
Consequences for a DUI can include up to one year in jail, license suspension and more than $13,500 after considering fines, legal fees and increased insurance costs.
There are numerous options to get home if you’ve been drinking. It’s always better to plan on how you’re going to do so safely. Ride-hailing services like Lyft, Uber and zTrip connect users directly with a nearby driver. Public transportation is also available across the state. In addition to planning a sober ride, mobile breathalyzers can be used as a tool to help drinkers make better decisions. If you’re interested in purchasing a personal breathalyzer, visit codot.bactrack.com.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, preliminary data shows 217 fatalities involving impaired drivers on Colorado roadways in 2018. Colonel Matthew Packard, Chief of the CSP, says the goal of the increased enforcement period is to deter drivers from getting behind the wheel impaired. Packard says if everyone does their part, lives can be saved on Colorado’s roads.
CDOT and law enforcement agencies across the state recently completed the 10-day Winter Blitz DUI enforcement period, arresting 571 drivers for being under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. The arrests were a 5 percent decrease from the 601 arrests during the same enforcement stretch last year. Here’s how it breaks down.
Denver Police Department – 56 arrests
Colorado Springs Police Department – 53 arrests
Aurora Police Department – 35 arrests
CSP troopers – 49 arrests across the state
