Don’t lose your independence — Fourth of July DUI enforcement begins July 3
STATEWIDE — While Coloradans watch fireworks this Fourth of July, statewide law enforcement officers will keep their eyes out for impaired drivers. July 3-8, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law agencies will implement the Fourth of July DUI enforcement period, which focuses on preventing impaired drivers from endangering themselves and others on the road. The enforcement period could include checkpoints, saturation patrols and increased officers on roadways.
“The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our country and a day when we can enjoy the many recreational options that Colorado has to offer,” said Shoshana Lew, CDOT Executive Director. “But holidays mean more people out on the road, which makes it especially important to be careful and make good choices about when to get behind the wheel. Impaired driving puts yourself and others in harm’s way.”
During last year’s Fourth of July enforcement period, there were a total of 304 DUI arrests from 103 agencies across the state. This year, 97 law enforcement agencies will increase patrols during the six-day enforcement period.
During the recent Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period, 108 law enforcement agencies arrested 573 impaired drivers on Colorado roads from June 14-24. Of the participating law enforcement agencies, the Colorado Springs Police Department (52 arrests), Denver Police Department (33 arrests) and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (32 arrests) reported the highest number of DUI arrests. CSP also made 84 arrests. Results for all law enforcement agencies across the state can be found athttps://www.codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal
“Holidays are a reason to celebrate, safely and responsibly,” said Col. Matthew Packard, CSP Chief. “Planning a sober ride home ensures that you won’t endanger yourself or others on the road. Law enforcement will always be on the road, so remember to drive sober or not at all.”
As part this year’s The Heat Is On campaign, CDOT will again partner with BACtrack, a leading personal and professional breathalyzer company, to urge Coloradans to check their blood-alcohol content (BAC) to confirm they are sober before they drive. Through the partnership, breathalyzers will be offered at a 50% discount for Colorado residents from July to September, or while supplies last. Residents can visit codot.bactrack.com to place an order.
About The Heat Is On
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 15 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. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips at HeatIsOnColorado.com.
Whole System – Whole Safety
To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System – Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving safety conditions for those traveling by all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission - to get everyone home safely.
About CDOT
CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
