Statewide DUI Crackdown Planned For Labor Day Week Ahead

ACROSS COLORADO – As summer winds down and school begins across the state, law enforcement agencies will be cracking down on DUI and impaired driving through the Labor Day Weekend. This year, the Colorado Department of Transportation wants to help you know with certainty if you are driving impaired.

What could be more gloriously geeky than a pocket breathalyzer?

The Colorado Department of Transportation and Responsibility.org are offering 200 FREE pocket breathalyzers to young adults, ages 21-34 (while supplies last). Those interested can apply at breathalyzer.codot.gov.

CDOT will be visiting Geeks Who Drink Trivia nights in Boulder and Arvada to offer discounts on the BACtrack® breathalyzer (usually costing $100) for $49.99 plus $7 shipping and handling.

• Monday, Aug. 27, 7:00 p.m.

• Thursday, Sept. 6, 8:00 p.m.

The annual Labor Day DUI crackdown will include 87 law enforcement agencies from all over Colorado on the road, looking for impaired drivers. Last year’s Labor Day enforcement nabbed 1,184 impaired drivers.

Even so, there were 46 roadway fatalities involving impaired drivers between August and September in 2017, which was an increase from 36 fatalities the year before.

“Last year, we had an increase in alcohol-related fatalities compared to 2016,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the office of transportation safety at CDOT. “Even as summer is coming to an end, Coloradans need to be responsible and stay off the roads if they are impaired. The price of a DUI is never worth the risk.”

Remember, a driver can reach the DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired — .05 percent) or DUI (Driving Under the Influence — .08 percent) blood-alcohol content limits after only one or two drinks.

If you are attending parties or picnics for Labor Day this year, and plan to drink or smoke marijuana, plan ahead so you don't drive bombed. Designate a driver before you go or ask for a ride. Call an Uber or Lyft, or take public transportation. Police patrols will also be checking for seatbelt compliance.

"Impaired driving is dangerous for everyone on the roads, not just the impaired driver," said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Let’s keep our roads safe this Labor Day. Make sure you find a sober ride home before you think about getting behind the wheel.”

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

Image via Zerbor/Shutterstock.com

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