Over an extended Thanksgiving holiday period, 327 impaired drivers were arrested by law enforcement officers in Colorado.
From Nov. 20 through Nov. 30, coordinated and increased DUI patrols, known as “The Heat is On,” were carried out by 103 agencies statewide, according to a Colorado Department of Transportation news release. During the same period last year, 99 agencies made 430 arrests.
“Appreciating the dangers of drinking and driving is not rocket science. Nevertheless, too many people continue to operate their vehicles while intoxicated or high,” Chief Matthew Packard of the Colorado State Patrol said in the release. “We hope the message is sobering for each impaired driver removed from the roads this past enforcement period. You never have to drive impaired, there are options.”
The Colorado State Patrol made the most arrests — 71 — followed by the Colorado Springs Police Department (37 arrests), Denver Police Department (27 arrests) and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (27 arrests), the release said. There were three fatal crashes in the state during the long Thanksgiving weekend.
CDOT and Lyft are partnering in a program aimed at reducing the number of DUI drivers. Every Thursday in December, CDOT will release 200 free $10 ride credit codes, available on a first-come, first-served basis, for people who sign the Gift of Lyft Pledge. The pledge is a promise to not drink and drive. For more details, visit GiftOfLyft.com. COVID-19 safety guidelines, including wearing of masks, is practiced by Lyft.
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