As celebrations ramp up across the state for Memorial Day weekend, law-enforcement personnel will be out in increased numbers for drunken driving enforcement.
The program is one of 12 event-centered annual enforcement periods under Colorado Department of Transportation’s Heat is On campaign. It aims to crack down on drunken driving during the holiday with the second-highest fatality rate — and highest alcohol-related fatality rate — of the year, based on numbers from 2007 to 2015.
Increased DUI enforcement begins Friday and will last through Tuesday, with law-enforcement persennel across the state running sobriety checkpoints. Increased patrolling and increased saturation patrols, where DUIs are more likely to occur — in areas with large numbers of bars and restaurants, for instance, are also part of the program.
“Between 2007 and 2015, there were 67 traffic fatalities on Colorado roads during Memorial Day weekends,” said Darrell Lingk, director of CDOT Office of Transportation Safety, in a news release. “Of those 67 fatalities, an alarming 41 (61 percent) were alcohol-related.”
Last year, 301 arrests were made during the five-day period. From 2007 to 2015, there was an average of more than four alcohol-related deaths per year on Memorial Day, with the peak of eight deaths occurring in 2007. Males age 21-35 tend to be the most overrepresented age demographic among impaired drivers.
Progress is being made on addressing the issue, according to Sam Cole, CDOT communications manager.
“I think over the past couple decades, we’ve been able to change the social norm of drinking and driving,” Cole said in an interview.
Tightening Colorado DUI laws and increasing patrols and education efforts have been part of the push to address impaired driving. CDOT launches advertising campaigns on the dangers of driving high or drunk every year and has promoted the use of personal breathalyzers and apps designed to help users estimate their blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.
Checkpoint Colorado, a 100-day summer enforcement period under Heat is On, also begins Friday and will run through Labor Day weekend. Each participating agency will conduct three DUI checkpoints during the enforcement period.
Cole offered advice to those planning to drink over the holiday.
“Make a plan before you leave your house, and get home safely, whether it’s designating a sober driver or downloading Uber or Lyft apps,” Cole said. “If you’re throwing a party, taking drinks away an hour before the party ends is a good idea. Put out lots of food.
“And never be afraid to take away the keys from a friend. Judgment is the first thing that goes when you drink.”
Find more details about the DUI enforcement plans at HeatIsOnColorado.com.
