Intensive 18-Day enforcement continues through Labor Day

As the summer begins to wind down, enforcement of the state's impaired driving laws are heating up. More than 65 law enforcement agencies across Colorado are joining a nationwide DUI crackdown called " Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" that lasts through the Labor Day holiday. The intensive 18-day DUI enforcement begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 15 and continues until 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Last year, between Aug.17 and Sept. 4, 16 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Colorado -- nearly one person every day.

"As we head into the final weeks of summer before Labor Day, more people will be out traveling and celebrating, and unfortunately some will choose to commit a crime by getting behind the wheel after drinking," said Pamela Hutton, CDOT Governor's Representative for Highway Safety. "Law enforcement agencies across the state will beef up enforcement of our impaired driving laws to keep these dangerous drivers off the roads and save lives."

In 2007, 226 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes in Colorado. Eight out of ten of those killed were men, and 16 percent were riding motorcycles.

"Nomatter what you drive-a passenger car, pickup, SUV or motorcycle-if we catch you driving impaired, you will be arrested," said Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Motorists that see a suspected drunk driver, can report it immediately by calling *CSP (*277) a free call from a cellular phone. And remember to buckle up yourself and your passengers or use a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle, as these are your best defenses against an impaired driver."

During last year's national crackdown, Colorado law enforcement agencies made 1,739 DUI arrests. DUI violators often face jail time, loss of their driver's license, alcohol-treatment classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

The national "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." impaired driving crackdown is a prevention program organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that focuses on combining high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity. This year's effort is supported by $11 million in paid-national advertising to help put everyone on notice that if they are caught driving impaired, they will be arrested.

Nationwide in 2006, 13,470 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. These fatalities accounted for 32 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.

To view enforcement plans by agency, visit www.dot.state.co.us/trafficsafety/ and click Reports on the header. Choose Enforcement Period Plans, select Summer Checkpoints 2008and National Crackdown Labor Day 2008 and click Report.After the enforcement period ends, DUI arrests totals are available by clicking Reports on the header. Choose Heat is on! Enforcement, select National Crackdown Labor Day 2008and click View Report.