CSP to target impaired drivers during Memorial Day weekend
(COLORADO) — The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) announced on Thursday, May 23, that it will consistently look for impaired drivers this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.
As the summer temperatures and holiday weekends roll by, troopers will look for signals that may indicate potential impairment. Driving under the influence is a year-round issue for Colorado–CSP said one in every three fatal crashes involves an impaired driver.
During the first quarter of 2024 (January – April), troopers investigated 67 fatal crashes, with 36% of these events involving an impaired driver. At the end of the first quarter of 2023, only 25% of the fatal crashes involved an impaired driver.
As impaired driving is trending upward, so are the number of deaths that occur due to it. In 2024, 36% of all crash fatalities involved an impaired driver while the number stood at 22.6% in 2023.
“For most of us, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, but for traffic safety professionals, it marks day 1 out of the 100 consecutive deadliest days on our roadways,” said Chief of CSP, Matthew Packard. “The miles we travel in our vehicles often increase during these 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and our riskier driving behaviors are more prevalent.”
The start of the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer marks the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a period that historically sees a spike in fatal crashes.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CDOT prepares for 100 deadliest days of summer
According to CSP crash data, crashes of all types including property, injury, and fatality place impairment as the sixth most common cause. When looking at just fatal crashes, impairment lands on the #1 spot. CSP investigated crash data shows that an impaired driver is four times more likely to be in a fatal crash rather than a property damage or injury crash.
“Risk-taking is comparable to gambling. Can you afford to live with the consequences of killing someone while you drive home from that party? Do you want to do more with your life or are you comfortable rolling the dice?” said Packard. “These are serious and dark questions, but they are fair ones to ask before you get behind the wheel intoxicated. Find a sober ride, there are plenty of options.”
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