A few weeks ago, we wrote about the statewide campaign to crack down on Colorado drunk drivers over Halloween weekend. Now, the numbers are in and officials are reporting DUI arrest totals that even surpass our 2015 statistics.
As the Denver Post reports, CDOT has announced that 308 drivers across Colorado were arrested under the suspicion of driving under the influence over Halloween weekend. Last year, there were 269 DUI arrests over the same period.
The arrests were part of a coordinated, statewide campaign to heighten vigilance for drunk drivers called The Heat Is On. Over the holiday weekend, 94 different state agencies participated in the effort. Denver's 30 Halloween DUI arrests were only surpassed by the State Patrol's total of 50 arrests.
"Impaired driving is an issue that law enforcement will continue to take very seriously," chief of the State Patrol Col. Scott Hernandez told the press. "Driving under the influence will be enforced until there are zero impaired drivers on Colorado roadways. The more sober drivers, the more lives are saved."
The Heat Is On
"The Heat Is On" is not specific to Halloween—it will continue to be implemented over major holidays when officials know the likelihood of drunk driving increases. The campaign is set to start again on November 23 to cover Thanksgiving weekend. According to CDOT, 283 Coloradans were arrested for DUI over the Thanksgiving weekend in 2015.
Fortunately, there many ways for all of us to partake in the holiday celebrations and still stay off the roads if we are intoxicated. As you make your Thanksgiving plans this month, consider using a designated driver, a ride-sharing app, or even staying the night with your host if you plan on consuming alcohol.
If you were charged with DUI over Halloween weekend, then we invite you to contact us at Orr Law Firm today. Our dedicated and proven Denver DUI defense lawyers are well-versed in this branch of the law and how to expose the shortcomings in the state's case against our clients.
We're ready to take action on your behalf. Call us today.