A new season starts a new DUI enforcement period

Traffic Safety Pulse News

Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period marks final days of 50% BACtrack breathalyzer discount

Fall is coming. And while the season of shorter days, cool nights, and beautiful changing leaves is on the horizon, many Colorado fall festivities will look different this year. With the start of a new season also comes increased DUI enforcement. Law enforcement is on high alert during the Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period Sept. 11–Oct. 28. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is joining forces with Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies statewide to help prevent impaired drivers from threatening the safety of others on Colorado roadways.

So far this year, 102 deaths on Colorado roads are attributed to impaired driving. As traffic volumes continue to shift back to normal, Coloradans need to be aware of the present issue of impaired driving. CDOT and law enforcement urge all Coloradans to drive sober or make sober arrangements to travel safely to and from their destinations this fall.

“Fall is an exceptional time in Colorado, but being on the heels of upcoming holidays and having its own list of seasonal activities means it’s also a time when we see an increased number of impaired drivers,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We continue encouraging people to follow COVID-19 guidelines when around others and plan a sober ride when returning home.”

Summer 2020 DUI arrests to date total 1,444, excluding the most recent Labor Day enforcement data, which is not yet available. Last year, the Fall Festivals enforcement period included 99 law enforcement agencies with 1,534 arrests. 88 agencies plan to be involved this year with increased patrols. The Sturgis Rally enforcement in August had a total of 380 DUI arrests among 97 participating agencies.

Don't Fall Behind. Plan Ahead.

“We saw a spike last year in DUI arrests during the Fall Festivals enforcement in comparison to the previous summer months,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of CSP. “We know what to look for and we will do everything to feel Colorado roads safe this fall.” 

The Fall Festivals enforcement period also coincides with CDOT’s Take Some Time campaign “2-Hourglass” fabrication located at Stanley Marketplace. CDOT created this large-scale display, featuring an oversized beer and wine glass, to reinforce that a single alcoholic drink can impair a person for two hours — and that the only appropriate time to drive is with a BAC of zero. The fabrication repeatedly shows each alcoholic beverage glass draining over two hours, which increases the amount of time until a person’s BAC returns to zero. The fabrication was installed Sept. 4 and will remain at Stanley Marketplace for two weeks.

CDOT’s Take Some Time campaign launched in early July on billboards, buildings, social media, and in liquor stores statewide. The campaign aims to educate and raise awareness of the time it takes for a person’s BAC to return to zero after consuming alcohol. View and download the campaign creative here: dropbox.com/sh/d7xzbb8kd6j9sei/AACCAzHtXzPzJeSl6DMLHXzva?dl=0.

Only 5 days remain for the 50% discount for Colorado residents on BACtrack® breathalyzers. CDOT partnered with BACtrack®, a leading personal breathalyzer company, to once again make breathalyzers more accessible and allow for a more direct practical tool to educate those of age about breath alcohol content (BAC) levels to help reduce impaired driving. Colorado residents can use the discount towards a BACtrack Mobile Pro, Trace Pro, C8, or C6 and can visit codot.bactrack.com to purchase their own through Sept. 20, or while supplies last. 

During CDOT’s 2019 campaign from July-October, more than 1,400 Coloradans purchased breathalyzers. Currently, more than 1,159 Colorado residents have purchased BACtrack breathalyzers since the 50% discount became available in early July. For more information about CDOT and BACtrack’s partnership, the 50% discount and previous breathalyzer campaigns, visit HeatIsOnColorado.com.