Summer Blitz DUI Enforcement starts Friday in Colorado
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- The Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies are coming together for the Summer Blitz DUI Enforcement with the goal of removing impaired drivers from the road.
There will be increased law enforcement from Friday, June 11 through Monday, June 21. Last year, 407 impaired drivers were arrested during the same enforcement period.
There were 20 impaired-driving fatalities in Colorado last June. So far this year, 69 traffic fatalities statewide have involved an impaired driver, which is 31% of all traffic deaths.
"That’s why it’s so important to get out there with our law enforcement and stop these people before they hurt us," said Sam Cole with CDOT.
During the recent Memorial Day DUI enforcement, 209 impaired drivers were arrested. This is a decrease from last year’s 232 arrests during the same enforcement period. The Colorado Springs Police Department (24 arrests), Denver Police Department (18 arrests), and the El Paso County’s Sheriff’s Office (16 arrests) recorded the highest number of arrests during the enforcement. The Colorado State Patrol made 18 arrests.
Cole says he wants people to remember there is always an alternative.
"There are so many ways to get around without having to drive impaired. Rideshare programs, mass transit, we have friends who would rather drive sober you can ride with them. Impaired driving is so incredibly preventable," he said.
