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The Heat Is On: Play safe during Labor Day

The Heat Is On: Play safe during Labor Day

It’s a sobering reality that summer is coming to a close, but that’s why we need to make the most of our Labor Day weekend. However, be aware that more than 90 law enforcement agencies throughout Colorado are currently running heightened DUI-enforcement efforts as part of the 2016 statewide Labor Day DUI crackdown. According to authorities at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), this ‘crackdown’ will run through Tuesday, Sept. 6th and will involve increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints — another sobering reality.

DUI-enforcement efforts typically coincide with national holidays. Labor Day in Colorado is historically one of the top weekends for making DUI arrests in the state. Perhaps that’s because we are all trying to squeeze in one last hurrah before summer’s end.

In fact, according to CDOT:

  • – At least 50 DUI arrests are made by Colorado police every day.
  • – Labor Day Weekend is the third highest period for nabbing drunk drivers in Colorado. (First and second are Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day)
  • – During Labor Day weekend 2015, 87 of the 90 participating agencies made 1030 DUI arrests in Colorado.

“Over the years, the Labor Day enforcement has taken thousands of impaired drivers off the road,” says Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Troopers from across the state will be working overtime to protect the roads from impaired drivers, ensuring Coloradans can enjoy the end of the summer safely.”

So, knowing that this crackdown is already underway, be sure to make your plans for safe and sober travels in order to minimize the risk of a DUI arrest. However, if you are accused of drunk driving or are involved in an accident that involves a drunk driver, the single best thing you can do is contact an experienced attorney.

Interesting Tidbits:

  • The law enforcement agency conducting the any form of roadblock must provide motorists with an alternative route to the roadblock itself. In other words, it is improper to conduct a sobriety checkpoint in a location where there is no alternative route, and drivers are trapped into going through the police roadblock. If you find an alternative route, you are legally allowed to take it without any penalty. Avoiding a checkpoint location does not produce reasonable suspicion or probable cause for the police to pull you over.


http://www.orrlaw.com/aop/dui/information/dui-checkpoints/

  • The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has outlined the “indicators of impairment upon initial contact” that the police are instructed to look for. When a driver is stopped, Denver police will be looking for:
    • – The odor of alcohol or drugs
    • – Bloodshot eyes
    • – Alcohol containers
    • – Drug paraphernalia
    • – Fumbling fingers
    • – Slurred speech
    • – Admission that you have been drinking or using drugs
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