The Heat Is On For Turkeys and Drivers This Thanksgiving

STATEWIDE — While many of us sit down to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with friends and family, Colorado’s dedicated law enforcement officers throughout the state will work overtime, citing and arresting those that choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Beginning today, Nov. 25, and running untilMonday, Nov. 30, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 102 law enforcement agencies will partner under The Heat Is On campaign.  

“Last November, there were 34 statewide fatalities on Colorado roads, with an estimated 13 of those involving suspected impaired drivers,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. “The goal of increased DUI enforcement is to protect families from losing a loved one due to a completely preventable crime.”

According to AAA, 42.9 million Americans will travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, with 89.3 percent planning to drive — an increase of 284,000 motorists, in part due to the lowest national average gas prices since 2008.

“Thanksgiving is synonymous with travel, so it’s vital we keep Colorado’s roadways safe and free of impaired drivers,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “If you choose to drink this Thanksgiving, make sure you have a designated sober driver, or plan to use alternative transportation.”

The 2014 Thanksgiving enforcement involved 89 law enforcement agencies citing 346 drivers, with the Denver Police Department (48), Aurora Police Department (43) and Colorado Springs Police Department (24) citing the most arrests. In addition, CSP cited 88 DUI arrests statewide.

Thanksgiving is the first of three The Heat Is On enforcement periods that occur over the holiday season.

The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year with 12 specific high visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.