July 10, 2008
Crackdown: 475 DUI Drivers Felt the ‘HEAT’
Over Fourth of July Weekend
DENVER— Colorado law enforcement agencies arrested 475 impaired drivers on Colorado roadways during the Fourth of July weekend enforcement period.
The Colorado State Patrol and 50 law enforcement agencies worked overtime on a DUI crackdown between Thursday, July 3 at 6 p.m. until Monday, July 7 at 3 a.m., as part of the “Heat is On” campaign. There were 150 DUI arrests made on the Friday holiday, more than any other day, accounting for more than 30 percent of all weekend arrests.
According to preliminary data, eleven people died in traffic crashes on state roadways during the crackdown period, with three of those being alcohol or drug-related.
"The irresponsible decisions of a few people who chose to drink and drive made an incredible impact on the three lives lost to alcohol-related crashes over the weekend, as well to their family and friends," said Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "It is our continuing goal to remove impaired drivers from Colorado's roadways. All we ever ask is that drivers do the responsible thing by planning ahead and having someone who won't be drinking to do the driving. And, remember to always buckle up."
In 2007 the July 4th holiday fell on a Wednesday resulting in a six day DUI enforcement period and 640 DUI arrests. There were two alcohol-related traffic fatalities during that period.
The Colorado State Patrol led the state with 139 DUI arrests over this Fourth of July weekend, followed by the Denver P.D. (67), Colorado Springs P.D. (53), Adams County S. O. (21), and Lakewood P.D. (16).
The next summer DUI enforcement period is the 18-day National Crackdown, Over the Limit, Under Arrest, which runs from August 15 to September 2, encompassing Labor Day Weekend.
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Editors Note: To view DUI arrests totals by agency, visit www.dot.state.co.us/trafficsafety/ Click Reports on the header. Choose Heat is on! Enforcement, select July Fourth Weekend 2008 and click View Report.