The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said the Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement continued their efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads this New Year’s Eve during CDOT-funded “The Heat Is On New Year’s Eve” enforcement period from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2.
According to the department, more than one-third of Colorado’s road fatalities in 2021 involved an impaired driver.
“New Year’s Eve marks the end of the holiday season and brings the promise of a great year ahead,” said Col. Matthew Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Let’s start the new year with a renewed focus on caring for one another. Families and friends can ensure that there is a sober driver, a rideshare, or a safe place to stay if someone they love is impaired. Let’s make 2022 the year that impaired driving becomes history.”
CDOT’s Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education, and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement sections centered around national holidays and large public events. The enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and additional officers on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement.
“The issue of impaired driving dates back decades, yet year-to-year, we still see innocent lives taken by the choice to drive under the influence,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “In order for everyone to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones this year, drivers must take responsibility and seek an alternative ride if they plan to drink alcohol or consume cannabis.”
As part of the effort, the CDOT’s program “Ultimate Party Host” offered $13,000 in Uber ride credits for people to get to their destinations safely. The CDOT reminded those who took advantage of the campaign that they have until Jan. 3 to redeem those credits.
Other organizations will also provide free services to get impaired drivers home. The American Automobile Association (AAA), in partnership with Lyft, will not only transport an impaired driver but also tow their vehicle to safer locations within a 10-mile radius. Molson Coors will partner with the Regional Transportation District to provide free rides on all RTD bus and rail routes, as well as Access-a-Ride, FlexRide, and SkyRide services. And The Sawaya Law Firm and The Lux Law Firm will help cover the cost of a cab, Lyft, or Uber ride home.