518 impaired drivers nabbed during Thanksgiving DUI crackdown

State Patrol, along with local authorities say they arrested 518 impaired drivers over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

From Nov. 18 to Nov. 28, 97 agencies across the state arrested 518 drivers, a significant increase from the 283 drivers arrested during the same enforcement event last year. The additional arrests are attributed to the longer enforcement period this year, which was twice as long.

The Colorado State Patrol (64 arrests), Aurora Police Department (69 arrests), the Denver Police Department (57 arrests), and Colorado Springs Police Department (38 arrests) recorded the highest arrest totals.

Now authorities are looking for drunk drivers heading home from holiday get-togethers and parties.

The Holiday Parties DUI enforcement period begins today. The ten day crackdown runs until Dec. 12. Last year, 100 agencies arrested 596 drivers during the holiday enforcement period. This year at least 90 law enforcement agencies will participate in the effort.

“Traffic fatalities in Colorado have already surpassed last year’s total,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “Impaired drivers were involved in about one-third of those deaths, and CDOT is determined to continue DUI-prevention efforts, as enforcement is our most effective tool to reduce impaired driving crashes and fatalities.”

According to preliminary data, 177 people have died in alcohol and drug related crashes on Colorado roadways so far this year.

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. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.