With Memorial Day weekend approaching and spirits high for a much-needed break, the Colorado State Patrol has issued a stark reminder to not put safety on pause when the festivities involve substances that impair one's ability to drive. According to the Colorado State Patrol, holidays see a spike in severe accidents and DUIs, something all too familiar for the state's law enforcement.
"Last year, troopers arrested more impaired drivers on Memorial Day weekend than on any other holiday," said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, as obtained by Colorado State Patrol, highlighting the concerning trend, with a 117% surge in DUIs over the previous year. He emphasized the abundance of alternatives to driving impaired, like rideshares and designated drivers, a suggestion borne out of past tragedies and near-misses.
Holiday weekends are not just about celebration but also navigating through the challenges of congested traffic, unpredictable weather, and unfamiliar roads. The previous holiday weekend, encompassing both Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day, was marred by deadly incidents. Colorado troopers responded to seven fatal accidents resulting in eight deaths and numerous serious injuries. Four police vehicles were also struck during that weekend, one of them by an impaired driver during a traffic stop, a stark reminder of the perils of driving under the influence.
In response to these alarming trends, and with summer's deadliest days looming ahead, the Colorado State Patrol is reinforcing its commitment to zero tolerance on impaired driving. This resolve is part of their "Don't Underestimate Impairment" campaign, seeking to deter drivers from making irreversible decisions while intoxicated. As Col. Packard succinctly puts it, "No one wants to spend their holiday weekend in a hospital or a jail cell," as per the Colorado State Patrol.
