The Colorado State Patrol has issued a stark reminder to drunk drivers this holiday season, that refusing a chemical test after being arrested for DUI only adds to your troubles. According to the Colorado State Patrol, drivers who are arrested under the suspicion of impairment and subsequently decline the chemical test face harsher penalties than those who comply.
Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, emphasized the point in a recent statement. "In Colorado, with the privilege of receiving a license to drive in this state, you have agreed to submit a chemical test when requested, if the officer places you under arrest for driving under the influence," he said. "When a person refuses, this driver receives additional penalties, and your refusal could work against you even further as you go through the court process," Packard said, as per Colorado State Patrol.
Refusal to take a chemical test doesn't just impact the legal proceedings you may face. It has immediate repercussions, including a longer revocation of your driver's license by the DMV, and a hike from the standard 9 months to an entire year for a first offense. Additionally, you will be tagged as a Persistent Drunk Driver (PDD) and be mandated to install an ignition interlock device for at least two years, regardless of the outcome of any criminal court proceedings related to the DUI charge.
The "Don't Underestimate Impairment" campaign from the Colorado State Patrol serves as a cautionary tale for drivers tempted to drink and drive, reminding them to think twice before getting behind the wheel. Drivers often struggle with making sound decisions while intoxicated, but the effects of those decisions can carry significant, long-lasting consequences. As part of the initiative, the patrol hopes to underscore the gravity of DUI charges and the compounded difficulties refusal of a test might engender, advises the agency, blatantly urging the public to always have a plan for a sober ride home.
