Law enforcement will be out in force this weekend, watching for impaired drivers coming and going from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Across Colorado, 88 law enforcement agencies will crack down on DUIs starting Friday and ending Monday, according to .
Last year, 106 law enforcement agencies arrested 455 drivers over the holiday weekend, according to CDOT. Although down from 505 arrests in 2015, the department said the number was still too high.
“People need to realize that even one drink can impair your ability to drive,” Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Scott Hernandez said in a statement. “Troopers are on the lookout for impaired drivers every day, all day, all night, across the entire state. The consequences of driving impaired are not worth the risk.”
The department warned that beyond safety risks, a DUI can cost a person more than $13,500 in fines, legal fees and increased insurance costs.
To stay safe, the department recommended using ride sharing and breathalyzer apps, including CDOT’s own that can calculate a user’s estimated blood alcohol content and compare it with the legal limit.
