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Statewide impaired driving crackdown planned

Published: 12.31.08
Special to the News-Press

Despite the cold, the Heat is On across the state as the Colorado State Patrol and more than 40 law enforcement agencies crack down on drunk drivers as we ring in the New Year. The special DUI enforcement period begins at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, and continues through 3 a.m., Jan. 5.

"The New Year is a time to celebrate our accomplishments and look forward to the future. Don't start 2009 with a DUI or even worse — robbing yourself or someone else of a future with their loved ones," said Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "If you are celebrating with alcohol, plan before you party by designating a sober driver, arranging a taxi or taking public transportation. It's that simple."

To encourage responsible alcohol consumption decisions over New Year's Eve, more than 40 Front Range bars, restaurants and hotels have partnered with CDOT's "Plan Ahead" campaign to sponsor and hand out $5 taxi vouchers to patrons. Freedom Cabs, Metro Taxi and Yellow Cab (Denver, Colorado Springs and Boulder) will accept the universal "Plan Ahead" vouchers through Jan. 5. Another campaign partner, MillerCoors, has sponsored an additional 2,000 $5 Yellow Cab vouchers in Denver as a part of its "You Hold the Key. Never Drive Drunk" campaign. Also, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in the Denver metro area is once again providing free bus and light rail service on New Year's Eve. For a list of businesses offering cab vouchers, information on overnight parking, and free RTD service on New Year's Eve, visit www.PlanAheadColorado.com.

The Colorado State Patrol and statewide law enforcement agencies have filed the following DUI enforcement plans for the New Year's Eve enforcement period.

Sobriety checkpoint: CSP Troop 4A/Fruita will hold a traditional checkpoint, along with the Grand Junction police department and Mesa County sheriff's office on Jan. 3.

Increased patrols: Alamosa County sheriff’s office, Boulder County sheriff, Boulder police, Cañon City police, Castle Rock police, Cedaredge police, Commerce City police, Crested Butte MO, CSP Troop 2-B Colorado Springs, CSP Troop 2-C Lamar, CSP Troop 2-D Pueblo, CSP Troop 3-B Sterling, CSP Troop 4-B Craig, CSP Troop 5-A Durango, CSP Troop 5-B Alamosa, CSP Troop 6-A Golden, CSP Troop 6-D Black Hawk & Central City, Durango police, Eagle County sheriff, Fort Collins police, Fort Lupton police, Fremont County sheriff, Golden police, Greeley police, Longmont police, Loveland police, Montezuma County sheriff, Montrose police, Morgan County sheriff, Pagosa Springs police, Parker police, Pueblo County sheriff, Saguache County sheriff, Simla police, Summit County sheriff, Weld County sheriff, Wheat Ridge police.

Saturation patrols: Adams County sheriff’s office, Aurora police, Avon police, CSP Troop 1-A Limon, CSP Troop 1-C Castle Rock, CSP Troop 1-D Adams County, CSP Troop 2-A Cañon City, CSP Troop 3-A Greeley, CSP Troop 3-C Fort Collins, CSP Troop 4-C Glenwood Springs, CSP Troop 5-C Montrose, CSP Troop 6-B Frisco, CSP Troop 6-C Broomfield, Denver police, Edgewater police, El Paso County sheriff, Fountain police, Fraser-Winter Park police, Grand Junction police, Jefferson County sheriff, Lakewood police, Las Animas sheriff, Logan County sheriff, Loveland police, Northglenn police and Thornton police.

During last year's New Year's Eve enforcement period, 473 people were arrested for DUI.

According to preliminary reports from the Colorado Department of Transportation, 35 people have been killed in traffic crashes in Colorado between Dec. 1-29, 2008, and four of the crashes were alcohol-related.



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