The Colorado Department of Transportation is ramping up its DUI enforcement efforts this Fourth of July Weekend, coordinating with the Colorado State Patrol and various local law enforcement agencies to launch "The Heat Is On" campaign starting July 2 through July 7, targeting impaired drivers through increased patrols, checkpoints, and additional officers on duty. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado sees a notable uptick in traffic fatalities during the summer months, especially between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which is notoriously dubbed the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.
July 2024 stood out as the most dangerous month about DUI-related fatalities in Colorado, marking 28 deaths due to impaired driving crashes; 82 such fatalities have been recorded so far this year, reflecting a 15% decrease from the same period in 2024, however, these numbers serve as a harrowing reminder of the continued risk on our roads. Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said, as obtained by the Colorado Department of Transportation, "A DUI or impaired driving crash is life-altering, never put yourself or others at risk."
To mitigate DUI incidents over the holiday weekend, The Wilhite Law Firm is providing a financial incentive for safer travel decisions by offering reimbursement credits for Uber and Lyft rides through their Holiday Rideshare Program, cover a total of $20 for a one-way ride from July 3 to 6, an initiative aiming to ease the choice for individuals to avoid drinking and driving. Darrell Lingk, CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director, told the Colorado Department of Transportation, "Impaired driving is not only illegal and can result in a DUI, but it can also be deadly," underscoring the dire consequences of impaired driving and the necessity for strategic decision-making.
As an additional push for safety, CDOT suggests hosts collect car keys from guests upon arrival at events, encourage the use of sobriety-designated drivers and ride-sharing services, and stop serving alcohol a few hours before the conclusion of the party, among other tips, understanding that the cost of impaired driving is unfathomably high, complete with potential liability for hosts of gatherings. Moreover, CDOT has introduced a campaign educating the public about the consequences of refusing a DUI blood or breath test, which is part of Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law. An increase in drivers refusing such tests has presented a significant obstacle to maintaining road safety.
