CDOT: Drive Sober or Face a DUI Arrest Labor Day Weekend

Warning to Colorado Drivers: Drive Sober or Face a DUI Arrest Labor Day Weekend

August 30, 2012 - Traffic Safety - Cops make an average of 50 DUI arrests per day since National Crackdown began Aug. 17.

Denver – As Coloradans prepare to head out on the roads this Labor Day Weekend, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and statewide law enforcement agencies have a warning: Don’t even think about drinking and driving because DUI patrols will be out in force.

Sobriety checkpoints and increased DUI patrols are under way across the state through early Tuesday morning. The enforcement is part of the summer-long “100 Days of Heat” campaign and coincides with the National DUI Crackdown. Since Colorado joined the national effort on Aug. 17th, law enforcement officers have averaged over 50 DUI arrests per day. That number is expected to go way up because only half of the 110 participating agencies have reported their arrests so far, according to CDOT. During last year’s national DUI crackdown, police made 1,442 DUI arrests.

“There’s no day off this Labor Day weekend for hundreds of troopers, police officers and deputies who will be working tirelessly to keep impaired drivers off our roadways,” said Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Now is the time to make a plan for a designated driver or public transportation. There are many big events across Colorado this weekend, from the Rocky Mountain Showdown in Denver, to the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio, and the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. No matter where you are in the state, please take the time to designate a sober driver and don’t forget to buckle up.”

Here are “DUI Arrests By the Numbers”: Since the “100 Days of Heat” campaign began Memorial Weekend, Colorado law enforcement agencies have made 2,097 DUI arrests in Colorado during enforcement periods and at checkpoints. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s annual crime report, 26,146 adults and juveniles were arrested for DUI in 2011, making it an average of 72 DUI arrests per day in the state.

In addition to increased patrols and saturation patrols, the following agencies are conducting sobriety checkpoints:

Friday, Aug 31

Lakewood Police Department and Colorado State Patrol
Colorado State Patrol – Troop 4A Fruita

Saturday, Sept 1

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office & CSP Troop 6A Golden
Thornton Police Department (This checkpoint will be dedicated to the memory of fallen Englewood PD Officer Jeremy Bitner)
Weld County DUI Task Force (Weld County SO, Ault PD, CSP Troop 3A, Greeley PD, Frederick PD)
Gore Range DUI Task Force (Eagle County SO, Avon PD, CSP Troop 4C, Glenwood Springs PD, Vail PD)

Sunday, Sept 2

Adams County Sheriff’s Office

More details about the DUI enforcement plans by agency, as well as arrest results after the enforcement period can be found at [url=http://www.HeatIsOnColorado.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.HeatIsOnColorado.com[/url].

CDOT Launches "Don't Ruin the Ride" Campaign to Reduce Motorcycle Crashes and Deaths

August 30, 2012 - Traffic Safety - DENVER — Nearly 40% of motorcycle fatalities in Colorado involve alcohol, which is why the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is launching its “Don’t Ruin the Ride” motorcycle safety campaign this Labor Day Weekend.

The campaign coincides with the “100 Days of Heat” DUI enforcement period, which culminates after the holiday weekend.

Impaired riding is a major problem that contributed to 27 motorcycle fatalities in Colorado last year, equaling 18% of the state’s total alcohol-related fatalities. The new campaign will focus on increasing rider awareness of the dangers and consequences of impaired riding, as well encouraging all riders—even after one drink—to find a better way to get home.

“Riding a motorcycle takes advanced skills that are easily undermined when alcohol enters the equation,” said Glenn Davis, manager of impaired driving awareness programs at CDOT. “This new campaign uses motorcycle riders to carry the message to their peers to remind them that they have better options than hopping on their bike after they’ve been drinking.”

The “Don’t Ruin the Ride” campaign features billboards, print ads in motorcycle enthusiast publications, and posters in biker-friendly bars and restaurants all aimed at encouraging riders to find a safe ride home. The campaign is paid for with federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

CDOT also recognizes that motorcycle riders are not the only ones involved in alcohol-related crashes. Last year, 83 people died in crashes involving drivers of other types of vehicles, who had alcohol in their systems.

“No matter what type of vehicle you drive, it’s never worth the risk if you had a couple of drinks. Before you take that first sip, consider all of your options to keep yourself and others safe,” added Davis.

Overall motorcycle fatalities are down slightly from 82 in 2010 to 78 in 2011. El Paso County recorded the highest number of motorcycle fatalities last year, a significant jump in fatalities from 8 in 2010 to 14 in 2011. The next highest counties were Denver with 6 fatalities, Mesa with 5 and Weld and Pueblo with 4 each.

For more information, visit [url=http://www.DontRuintheRide.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.DontRuintheRide.com[/url] or [url=http://www.comotorcyclesafety.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.comotorcyclesafety.com[/url]