Don’t Let Halloween End with a DUI Nightmare

October 29, 2014 - Traffic Safety - Enforcement Begins Thursday.

STATEWIDE — Few things are scarier than the ghouls, ghosts and goblins that line the streets on Halloween but driving impaired is one of the scariest things that can occur this holiday weekend. October is historically one of the deadliest months in terms of the number of impaired driving -related fatalities.

“We want users of Colorado roadways to celebrate responsibly this weekend and avoid getting behind the wheel if they have been drinking,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Each Halloween CSP and local law enforcement officers throughout the state set up DUI enforcement to make DUI arrests to ensure that everyone gets home safely.”

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 30, and going through Monday, Nov. 3, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will increase their DUI enforcement activities. Last year’s Halloween enforcement resulted in 427 DUI arrests, with the Aurora Police Department (53), Denver Police Department (52) and Colorado Springs Police Department (29) citing the most arrests. In addition, the Colorado State Patrol cited 24 arrests statewide.

“The consequences of a DUI goes beyond the $10,000 price tag,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “Drivers can lose their license, face time in jail and be summoned to community service. It is not worth the risk given that driving while impaired is preventable.”

There are plenty of alternatives to driving, and all of them are far less expensive than a DUI:

  • Have a sober friend or family member drive
  • Take public transit
  • Call a cab
  • Participate in a ride share service such as Lyft or Uber – find each app in Apple’s App Store or the Android Market

The Heat Is On runs the entire year with 12 specific DUI enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large, public events. More details about the DUI enforcement plans and arrest results can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.