State’s DUI Arrests Shoot Up over Fourth of July Week

July 11, 2012 - Traffic Safety - The Colorado State Patrol and 93 law enforcement agencies report making 632 DUI arrests from June 29 to July 5, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Since the “100 Days of Heat” DUI crackdown began on Memorial Day weekend, more than 1,174 drivers have been arrested for alcohol or drug-impaired driving during overtime patrols or sobriety checkpoints in Colorado.

“We are glad we were able to remove these dangerous drivers off our roads before they hurt someone,” said Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Unfortunately, there are still those who don’t get it that alcohol and drugs turn a vehicle into a weapon when the impaired driver gets behind the wheel.”

According to preliminary reports from CDOT, five people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes from June 29 to July 5. The month of July was the worst for alcohol-related fatalities in Colorado last year, with 24 people killed.

Sobriety checkpoints and DUI patrols will continue over the next few weeks leading up the national DUI crackdown, Aug. 17 through Sep. 4.

The following CSP Troops and agencies reported the highest number of DUI arrests over the Fourth of July week:

Denver PD (85)

Colorado Springs PD (37)

Adams County SO (28)

Aurora PD (21)

Fort Collins PD (18)

CSP Troop 2B Colorado Springs (15)

Eagle County SO (15)

Lakewood PD (15)

CSP Troop 1C Castle Rock (14)

Colorado State University PD (13)

More details about the DUI enforcement plans by agency, as well as arrest results can be found at www.HeatIsOnColorado.com. For more resources, including consequences after a DUI arrest, visit www.NoDUIcolorado.org.