Increased Patrol on Colorado Highway to detect drivers under influence

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Local Colorado safety authorities have increased patrolling the state’s highways during Christmas and New Year celebrations. During these holidays, car accidents increase significantly, many being fatal, due to drugs and alcohol. Surveillance will include sobriety checks, greater number of patrols, as well as a greater number of officers on duty. These procedures will be more severe in Adams, El Paso, and Denver counties because they account for the highest number of accidents from drivers under the influence.

“We will be actively looking for people who are unable to get home with a sober driver after using drugs or alcohol,” said Iván Alvarado, a member of the Colorado State Patrol. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), each year in Colorado, more than 20,000 are arrested for driving under the influence, which equates to an average of 55 arrests per day. In 2019, 171 people in Colorado were killed in crashes involving drivers under the influence, accounting for one-third of all traffic fatalities in the state.

Patrols have increased as alcohol use, including binge drinking, has surged nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. The average number of drinks a person consumes per day has increased by 26 percent. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption has also increased by 26 percent. The highest figures for binge drinking have been found in western states, including Colorado. “The pandemic will cause for fewer celebrations, but we will still remind drivers that they put themselves at great risk for driving under the influence,” said Alvarado.

Colorado State Patrol makes recommendations

Return Home Safely

CDOT and the Governed Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) are helping people in Colorado plan how to get home with a sober driver. They will also be supplying a thousand codes for Lyft rides worth $10 each. Those interested must register on the Lyft website. On December 24^th, the codes will be announced for about 200 Denver residents who signed up for the program. On December 31^st, 200 codes will be assigned to the residents of Colorado Spring.

Lyft gift

Enroll in the $ 10 race credit program with Lyft.