Motorists Beware: July 4th DUI Crackdown in Colorado Starts Tomorrow

June 30, 2016

July 4th DUI crackdown in CO will start tomorrow & last through Tues. 7/5.

July 4th DUI crackdown in CO will start tomorrow & last through Tues. 7/5.

Tomorrow, law enforcement authorities across the state of Colorado will be banning together to kick off the July 4th DUI crackdown. As part of the ongoing The Heat Is On DUI campaign in Colorado, the July 4th DUI crackdown will reportedly involve saturation patrols, as well as checkpoints, for the next five days.

In light of these plans, authorities are now reminding drivers to start planning ahead for a sober driver if they will be celebrating with alcohol and/or marijuana over the holiday weekend.

As Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of Colorado State Patrol (CSP), explained ahead of last year’s July 4th DUI campaign:

Many of our troopers will be sacrificing their holiday weekend to keep our residents and visitors safe, and will be on the lookout for impaired drivers.  We have zero tolerance for impaired driving and hope everyone makes good decisions.  It’s very simple – don’t get behind the wheel if you’re impaired.

Will 2016 See a Continuing Decline in July 4th DUI Arrests in CO?

As police and troopers across Colorado gear up for the kickoff of the 2016 DUI crackdown in Colorado tomorrow, some are wondering whether this year will continue the four-year decline in DUI arrests over this period.

In fact, since 2012, the DUI arrest rate over the July 4th crackdown period has dropped by more than 54 percent, with each year reflecting fewer DUI arrests than the previous year (as indicated by the following data1):

  • 2015 – 288 DUI arrests
  • 2014 – 303 DUI arrests
  • 2013 – 507 DUI arrests
  • 2012 – 632 DUI arrests.

This steady decline may seem promising on the surface, apparently indicating that fewer motorists are choosing to get behind the wheel when impaired. It’s important to note, however, that the falling DUI arrest rate for the July 4th holiday may also be due (at least in part) to the fact that, over the past four years, fewer law enforcement agencies have either:

  • Participated in the crackdown – While more than 110 agencies supported the July 4th DUI crackdown in 2012, less than 100 participated in last year’s effort.
  • Reported their arrest numbers to state officials – This reporting is not compulsory, so it’s possible that fewer agencies reported their arrest numbers to state officials, which could also make it seem like arrest rates are falling across the state.

The Bottom Line: Start Planning Now to Avoid a July 4th DUI Arrest

Knowing that law enforcement officials across the state will be looking to take down any motorist suspected of impaired driving over this holiday weekend, the bottom line is that:

  • You still have time to make plans now – before you start celebrating the holiday – to avoid a DUI arrest.
  • If you are arrested for a DUI over this weekend (or at any point in the future), the smartest move you can make to protect yourself moving forward is to contact a Denver DUI lawyer at the Griffin Law Firm.

Contact a Denver DUI Lawyer at the Griffin Law Firm

If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, you can turn to the Denver DUI lawyer at Griffin Law Firm for experienced help and the strongest possible defense. With nearly 20 years of experience in the criminal justice system, our attorney understands the complexities of the system, the challenges different defendants can face and the best ways of overcoming these challenges to bring criminal cases to successful resolutions.

To receive a complete evaluation of your case, along with professional advice regarding your best options, contact us by calling (303) 280-1070 or by emailing us using the contact form at the top of this page.

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1: Data compiled and presented by authorities at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Categories: DUI, DUI Defense, DUI News, DUI Sobriety Checkpoints