The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is urging people celebrating Halloween this weekend to arrange a sober ride home. From October 31 to November 3, CDOT will join the Colorado State Patrol and 67 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Halloween Weekend DUI enforcement period. Drivers can expect increased patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and additional officers on duty to arrest impaired drivers and keep roads safe.
In an effort to reduce impairment-related crashes during Halloween weekend, Uber and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are offering an $8 discount through Uber Voucher code SPOOKYCO25. This offer is valid for one-time use in the Denver metro area from October 30 to November 3.
“Colorado motorists have the responsibility to drive sober, and Colorado law enforcement has the responsibility to remove impaired drivers from the road. Planning a sober ride ahead of any holiday event is the best way to avoid a DUI or crash,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “This Halloween, leave the keys behind if you’ll be consuming alcohol or cannabis. It’s always better to call a sober friend or use a rideshare service than put yourself and other Coloradans at risk.”
Last year’s Halloween Weekend enforcement led to 196 DUI arrests in Colorado. So far this year, there have been over 11,000 DUI arrests statewide and 172 fatalities related to impaired driving.
“Ensure a sober ride home is part of your Halloween weekend plans and never get behind the wheel impaired,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “The consequences of a DUI will haunt you — the average cost of a DUI is $13,530 and dealing with the crime will take up hours of your time. Don’t make excuses and don’t take the risk.”
Officials remind party hosts not to let guests drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides safety tips for designated drivers during Halloween.
Under Colorado’s Expressed Consent Law, anyone driving in the state automatically consents to a toxicology test if arrested for DUI. Authorities note an increase in drivers refusing these tests recently; refusal is illegal and makes it harder to keep roads safe from impaired drivers. More information about this law can be found at https://www.codot.gov/choosetotest.
Preliminary data shows that during the recent Fall Festivals DUI enforcement period, there were 487 arrests across 77 participating agencies. The highest numbers came from Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (58), Fort Collins Police Department (54), and Thornton Police Department (48). The next major enforcement period will be Thanksgiving Week from November 20 through December 3.
CDOT has released new footage showing what happens at DUI checkpoints, which media outlets can request by contacting [email protected].
