• 28
  • December
    2011

The Colorado State Patrol reported today that more than 1,300 Colorado drivers have been caught drinking and driving so far this holiday season during a DUI crackdown to prevent dangerous car accidents.

Exactly 1,310 arrests were tallied between Thanksgiving weekend and Monday, according to the State Patrol. The State Patrol also said that at least 14 of the 35 car accident fatalities in the state between Thanksgiving and Dec. 26 were alcohol-related.

For the offender, the average DUI in Colorado racks up more than $10,000 in attorney's fees and fines, as well as possible jail time and the loss of a driving license. But, this is very little compared to the car accident victims, who - if they survive - often sustain serious injuries and are left with the burdens of medical bills and a tough recovery process.

More drinking and driving offenses are expected this weekend as well, while people are out celebrating the New Year. Almost 100 Colorado law enforcement agencies are planning extra patrols and saturation patrols to keep the roads as safe as possible Friday through Monday. In Garfield County, there will be four extra patrols on duty this weekend, according to the State Patrol.

Authorities are encouraging people to wear seatbelts, and take cabs or public transportation rather than getting behind the wheel after drinking this weekend. It would also be wise to designate someone in your group as a sober driver.

Some bars in Colorado will be equipped with free cab vouchers, according to the State Patrol. In Denver, New Year's Eve party-goers can also take advantage of free rides from the Regional Transportation District.

Last year, in the last two weeks of December, 415 people were killed in car accidents involving alcohol in the United States; six of those deaths were in Colorado.

Source: The Gazette, "DUIs top 1,300 in Colorado so far this holiday season," Dec. 28, 2011

Source: Colorado State Patrol, "No Excuse to Drink & Drive this New Year's Eve," Dec. 28, 2011