Halloween Weekend Turned into Nightmare for 447 Colorado drivers

The Colorado State Patrol and 95 law enforcement agencies across the state made 447 DUI arrests during the Halloween Heat Is On crackdown, which ran from 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 to 3 a.m. Tuesday, Nov.1.

“Hundreds of drivers chose to get behind the wheel after drinking, despite the repeated warnings,” said Col. James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Those drivers are now living the real nightmare of a DUI arrest, which may cost them their driving privilege and more than $10,000 in fines, fees and insurances increases. Clearly, driving under the influence is not worth it.”

Preliminary reports show the highest number of arrests were in Denver, with 58 arrests. In Colorado Springs, 39 DUI arrests were made over the holiday weekend. Aurora (21), Adams County (20) and Thornton (16) rounded out the top five areas with the highest number of impaired driving violations over the holiday weekend.

Over the past two years October has proved to be a deadly month on Colorado roadways. Last year, it was the fourth deadliest month with 17 people killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes, with one of those deaths occurring over Halloween weekend. In 2009, October proved to be the deadliest month for DUI crashes, with 26 people killed.

According to preliminary data, 10 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes this October, but none of the deaths occurred over Halloween weekend.

Halloween enforcement comes on the heels of the Fall Festival enforcement period that began Sept. 9 and ended Oct. 24. CSP and 56 local agencies arrested 1,730 people for DUI during that time period.  The next Heat Is On crackdown occurs during Thanksgiving week, Nov. 22-28.

For more information about the Heat Is On, the latest enforcement plans and arrest results, visit www.HeatIsOnColorado.com.