The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and statewide law agencies collaborated to halt impaired drivers over Halloween weekend, the latest sweep as part of The Heat Is On campaign. Law officers arrested 308 drivers, an increase from the 269 arrests last year.   

“The solution is simple — don’t drive impaired under any circumstance,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “If you do, you’re risking severe injury to yourself and others in addition to the legal and financial burdens associated with a DUI. We’re pleased local law enforcement agencies were able to stop and arrest the number of impaired drivers they did over the weekend.”

DUI offenders can be punished with up to one year in jail, thousands of dollars in fines and a nine-month license suspension. On average, after fines, attorney fees and the increase in insurance costs, a DUI can cost more than $10,000. Penalties increase for additional DUI arrests.

Ninety-four agencies participated in the enforcement period, with Colorado State Patrol (50 arrests), Denver Police Department (30), the Aurora Police Department (27 arrests) and the Colorado Springs Police Department (26 arrests) recording the highest arrest totals.  Results from other areas are available at bit.ly/HIOarrests.  Arrest data can be sorted based on law enforcement agency, county and enforcement period.

“Impaired driving is an issue that law enforcement will continue to take very seriously,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Driving under the influence will be enforced until there are zero impaired drivers on Colorado roadways. The more sober drivers, the more lives are saved.”

The Heat Is On returns Nov. 23 for a Thanksgiving holiday enforcement. Last year, 283 drivers were arrested during the heightened patrol.

The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year with 12 specific high visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.