New Year’s DUI Enforcement Cites 396 Impaired Drivers

STATEWIDE — For the 396 drivers arrested for impaired driving during The Heat Is On New Year’s enforcement, 2016 started on a low point — behind bars. Running from Dec. 30 until Jan. 4, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies successfully partnered for the year’s final The Heat Is On DUI enforcement period. The 396 arrests are an increase from the 367 arrests made during the same period last year.

“CDOT, CSP and local law enforcement will continue The Heat Is Oncampaign in 2016 to ensure the safety of all drivers on the road,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. “In addition, CDOT will introduce a new education campaign this summer about the dangers of driving under the influence.”

103 statewide law enforcement agencies collaborated in the New Year’s campaign, with the highest DUI arrest totals coming from the Aurora Police Department (58), Colorado State Patrol (49), Denver Police Department (37) and Colorado Springs Police Department (23).

“Law enforcement across the state is aware New Year’s Eve is a time when people like to enjoy a few drinks,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “We want everyone to know that driving impaired is not worth the risks in any circumstance, and the 396 arrests indicate far too many people are driving impaired.”

To help curb the urge to drive under the influence, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and MillerCoors offered free rides on all RTD bus, mall and rail routes on New Year’s Eve. The program provided free transportation to 144,000 Coloradans. MillerCoors also distributed 300 cab vouchers in Ft. Collins and Greeley.

“Through our partnership with RTD, Coors Light provided a record number of free rides, taking countless cars off the road so people could ring in the New Year safely,” said Gene Giron, Responsibility Initiatives Manager for MillerCoors. “We hope this program will encourage Denver-area residents to make a plan for a safe ride home from their celebrations throughout the year.”

The New Year’s crackdown capped off a year with 12 The Heat Is Onenforcement periods. There were 7,376 total arrests made during these heightened periods, a decrease from 7,825 in 2014. The highest arrest totals occurred during the Spring Events (1,870 arrests), Fall Festival (1,486 arrests) and Labor Day (1,030 arrests) enforcement periods.

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.