By Shannon Lukens.
Drive carefully and watch your speed, especially on Friday, Aug. 23, on Hwy 40 between Steamboat Springs and Craig. The regional Colorado State Patrol office says they’ll have troopers, officers, and deputies from multiple agencies in both Routt and Moffat counties, out on Friday.
Here’s Colorado State Patrol Corporal Andrew Bogue.
“We are adding extra patrols looking for dangerous and unsafe drivers. Bad passes, speeding. We’ve got an increased number of traffic complaints. Anything that contributes to crashes or unsafe driving.”
Colorado State Patrol wants to remind everyone to always wear your seat belt, don’t pass on a double yellow line, and never get behind the wheel drunk or high. If you observe someone driving unsafely, dial *CSP.
Colorado Department of Transportation has also reached out that they are working with Colorado State Patrol and 70 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat is ON Campaign through Labor Day. This is where they are cracking down on DUIs as well, with more saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty, dedicated to arrested impaired drivers.
From Colorado State Patrol; August 2024
Increased Patrols for Dangerous and Unsafe Drivers
(COLORADO) – The Colorado State Patrol will be running a multi-agency operation on August 23rd to ensure that anyone traveling in Northwestern Colorado will make it to their destinations safely. Troopers, officers, and deputies will be out enforcing Colorado laws and looking for dangerous and unsafe drivers. This operation is designed to impact the traffic coming and going from the Craig and Steamboat areas.
The Colorado State Patrol would like to remind everyone to always wear their seat belt and allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Additionally, if you plan to drink alcohol or consume marijuana, please designate a sober driver, arrange a rideshare service, or call a sober friend/family member for a ride. Never get behind the wheel drunk or high.
The Colorado State Patrol along with other law enforcement agencies in Routt and Moffat Counties will have extra patrols out looking for dangerous drivers. If you observe any dangerous driving dial *CSP to report it.
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Colorado Department of Transportation Press Release; Aug. 15, 2024.
Heightened DUI enforcement begins Friday (Aug. 16)
Nearly 1,400 impaired driving-related crashes in Colorado this summer
Statewide — Don’t miss out on backyard barbecues, time with friends and end-of-summer fun with a DUI — always plan a sober ride home. From Aug. 16 to Sept. 4, the Colorado Department of Transportation will support the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 70 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Labor Day Crackdown DUI enforcement period. During the 20-day enforcement period, drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers.
Labor Day marks the end of the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer — the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day that historically sees a spike in fatal crashes. Since Memorial Day of this year, there have been nearly 1,400 crashes involving a suspected impaired driver in Colorado. In June and July alone, there were a combined 129 traffic fatalities in Colorado, 44 of which involved a suspected impaired driver.
“Impaired driving-related crashes, injuries and fatalities are entirely preventable. When you drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are gambling with other people’s lives,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Your holiday weekend could quickly come to an end with a DUI, jail time or even a fatal crash. Keep your safety and that of others in mind — the only choice is a sober ride.”
Driving under the influence of any impairing substance — not just alcohol — is illegal. Most CSP troopers have specialized training in drug detection, known as ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement). All Colorado law enforcement agencies can administer alcohol and drug toxicology tests to drivers following a fatal DUI crash. Additionally, there are over 120 Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) in Colorado trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol.
“Long weekends are never an excuse to drive impaired,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “Last year’s Labor Day Crackdown enforcement period concluded with 774 reported DUI arrests. No one is above the law — the only way to avoid a DUI is by driving sober. It’s that simple. Enjoy the holiday responsibly by leaving the keys at home and planning a sober ride.”