Beginning Friday, Oct. 26 through Nov. 1, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and law enforcement throughout the state will increase DUI enforcement, arresting drivers impaired by alcohol, cannabis or other drugs as part of CDOT’s The Heat Is On campaign.
The enforcement aims to eliminate DUI-related injuries and fatalities over Halloween weekend, CDOT said in a news release.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 44 percent of all traffic fatalities on Halloween night between 2012-2016 involved a DUI-related crash, while 14 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween involved a drunken driver. In 2016, 21- to 34-year-olds accounted for the most fatalities (46 percent) in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night.
“We have zero tolerance for those who choose to drive impaired and we are committed to keeping all Coloradans safe,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “Thousands of children and families will be out and about trick-or-treating and enjoying other festivities this Halloween. Drunk drivers selfishly put themselves and others at risk.”
Last year’s Halloween DUI enforcement resulted in 375 DUI arrests, with the Colorado State Patrol (68), Colorado Springs Police Department (29) and Denver Police Department (28) citing the most arrests.
“There will be more pedestrians out on Halloween evening, so we’re asking motorists to drive alert and without distractions. If you do plan to drive, do so sober,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol.
