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‘The Heat is On’ for Colorado drivers this Labor Day

On Behalf of | Aug 24, 2017 | Firm News |

Colorado is in the middle of yet another DUI crackdown — making it the fifth one this summer since, and including, Memorial Day weekend.

From August 18 until September 5, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and local law enforcement departments will be joining forces to target suspected drunk drivers as part of the state’s “The Heat is On” DUI enforcement campaign. In total, more than 110 law enforcement agencies will take part in this annual three-week DUI crackdown that runs through Labor Day weekend.

The Heat in On” campaign actually consists of 14 specific DUI enforcement periods that occur throughout the year and focus on large events and national holidays, including the weeks leading up to Labor Day. These increased DUI enforcement periods often include sobriety checkpoints and additional police officers who are dedicated solely to arresting impaired drivers.

Expect to see more cops on the road

According to reports made available by CDOT, last year’s Labor Day DUI crackdown resulted in 974 DUI arrests — meaning you can similarly expect to see more cops on Colorado roadways this Labor Day.

If you are stopped as part of the crackdown, it is important to remember that you do have rights. For instance, roadside sobriety tests and preliminary breath tests are voluntary — meaning you can say, “No, thank you,” if police ask you to participate in them.

But, if police have probable cause to arrest you for drunk driving, they will likely ask you to submit to a blood test or an official breathalyzer test. Unlike the roadside sobriety tests and preliminary breath tests discussed above, this test is not optional. This means you will face various penalties if you refuse.

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