886 DUI Arrests During Colorado Labor Day Enforcement: CDOT

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Patrols will be beefed up during "Fall Festival" campaign, starting this weekend, which netted more than 1,000 DUI arrests last year.

ACROSS COLORADO – Summer is nearing its end, but as many drivers found out, drinking and driving is not the way to enjoy the season's last weeks. The Colorado Department of Transportation reported that 886 drivers were arrested for a DUI during a special statewide "Labor Day" enforcement in which 103 law enforcement agencies participated. The highest three arrest areas: Denver Police Department (100 arrests), Colorado Springs Police Department (81 arrests), and Aurora Police Department (55 arrests). The Colorado State Patrol logged 134 arrests among their troops statewide.

Summer is considered the most dangerous impaired driving season, but that doesn't mean impaired driving takes a break when school starts up.

“In September and October of last year, Colorado saw 37 alcohol-related fatalities, accounting for 32 percent of the road fatalities during that timeframe,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the office of transportation safety at CDOT in a statement. “No matter what time of year it is, drivers need to make responsible decisions and stay off the roads while impaired. With a number of accessible alternatives to driving, there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired.”

A new DUI crackdown starts this weekend with the Fall Festivals enforcement period from Sept. 14 through Oct. 22. The annual Heat Is On autumn crackdown will include 104 Colorado law enforcement agencies. Last year’s Fall Festivals enforcement cited 1,863 impaired drivers.

Meanwhile, if you attend a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field on Thursday, Sept. 13, you may encounter CDOT street hawkers carrying portable breathalyzers calling, "Get your free breathalyzer tests!”

CDOT is trying to raise awareness about breathalyzers as a DUI-prevention tool. The agency is subsidizing heavily-discounted breathalyzer devices as part of this year’s The Heat Is On campaign.

“We’re pleased more than 2,200 Coloradans have purchased breathalyzers, thereby making our roadways safer,” said Sam Cole, CDOT Communications Manager. “Time is running out, but it’s not too late to take advantage of this discounted price.”

Colorado residents can visit codot.bactrack.com to purchase either the BACtrack® Mobile™ Pro or the BACtrack® Trace™ Pro for $49.99 plus $7 shipping and handling. The breathalyzers normally retail for $99.99. This discounted price expires Sept. 15.

More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

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