DUI News: CO Authorities Turn Up The Heat on Drunk Drivers Through Thanksgiving Weekend

Colorado authorities are kicking off a Thanksgiving DUI crackdown tomorrow

In an ongoing effort to crackdown on impaired drivers in Colorado, authorities across the state are once again gearing up to run heightened DUI patrols starting tomorrow and running through Thanksgiving weekend.

And this year, authorities are stepping up their enforcement efforts, as the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has pointed out. In fact, this year more than 100 local law enforcement agencies will be supporting the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) in the 2015 DUI Thanksgiving crackdown. Over the same enforcement period last year, nearly 90 law enforcement agencies made 346 DUI arrests. In 2013, the Thanksgiving holiday DUI crackdown resulted in 411 arrests.

Commenting on the goals of these annual holiday DUI enforcement campaigns, Darrell Lingk, Director of Transportation Safety at the CDOT, has noted that:

Last November, there were 34 statewide fatalities on Colorado roads, with an estimated 13 of those involving suspected impaired drivers… The goal of increased DUI enforcement is to protect families from losing a loved one due to a completely preventable crime.

Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the CSP, shed some more light on authorities’ perspective, explaining that:

Thanksgiving is synonymous with travel, so it’s vital we keep Colorado’s roadways safe and free of impaired drivers…If you choose to drink this Thanksgiving, make sure you have a designated sober driver, or plan to use alternative transportation.

Make Plans Now to Avoid a Thanksgiving DUI

Knowing that Colorado law enforcement officers will be out in far greater numbers this weekend, looking for impaired drivers, here are some plans to try  to put in place now if you will be celebrating your Thanksgiving holiday weekend with alcohol at any point:

• Line up your sober ride home before you get to a party and start drinking.
• If you can’t find a sober friend or family member to drive you, call a cab, take public transportation or use a ride sharing service.
• If you won’t be able to get a ride, find somewhere to stay – either with a friend or by booking a room at a motel or hotel.

Contact a Colorado Springs DUI Lawyer at Kohn Law Firm

If, despite your best-laid plans and efforts, you find yourself under arrest for drunk driving this weekend (or at any point), contact a Colorado Springs DUI lawyer at Kohn Law Firm for aggressive legal advocacy and the strongest possible defense.

At Kohn Law Firm, we believe that our clients deserve exceptional service and ethical treatment. That’s why we are here to help the accused navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system, minimize the negative impacts they may face, and ultimately help them protect their freedom and future.

To learn more about how we can help you, set up a free initial consultation with us by calling us at (719) 328-9555 or by emailing us using the contact form at the top of this page. From our offices in Colorado Springs, we represent clients throughout the Pikes Peak region and Colorado.