Thanksgiving DUI Patrols Start Up Statewide: CDOT

COLORADO — A ten-day ramp up in DUI patrols will take place across the state for the Thanksgiving Weekend holiday, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol announced Thursday.

More than 100 law enforcement agencies will be looking for impaired drivers this weekend through Monday, Nov. 26.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and unfortunately, that means more impaired drivers on Colorado roads. Last November, there were 57 traffic deaths in Colorado, and of those, 23 (or 40 percent) involved impaired drivers, CDOT said in a press release.

“We want Colorado residents and holiday guests to understand that impaired driving will not be tolerated,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT in a press release. “Whether riding along or driving for the holiday, we encourage everyone to wear their seat belts. Using a seat belt is your best defense against an impaired or distracted driver.”

CDOT wants you to know there are many options available for those who need to find a sober ride home.

• Ride-hailing services like Lyft, Uber and zTrip connect users directly with a nearby driver.
• Public transportation is also available across the state.
• The Sawaya Law Firm is offering its “Free Cab Ride Program” on Thanksgiving Day. Good for a one-way ride home in the Denver metro area, cab users can send their receipts to the Sawaya Law Firm for reimbursement up to $35. For more info, visit: https://www.sawayalaw.com/resources/free-cab-ride-program/

“State Patrol and local law officers will be sacrificing time with their families to track down impaired drivers during this enforcement period,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “We urge people to wear seat belts, travel safely and consume responsibly. Many people don’t understand that it doesn’t take much before you can become a danger to yourself and others on our roads. Make responsible decisions and commit to never driving impaired.”

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

Image via Shutterstock

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