As people are getting ready to go out and celebrate the new year, it is important to remember if you drink and drive, there are consequences.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, also known as CDOT, 190 people have lost their lives on Colorado roads due to impaired driving so far in 2024. In 2023, 218 lives were taken away too soon from impaired driving. Over the last two years, DUI crashes account for 30% of all crashes reported.
Colorado State Patrol Trooper Sherri Mendez told CBS News Colorado First Alert Traffic Tracker Reporter Brian Sherrod that too many lives have been lost because of the selfish decision to drink and drive. Mendez says drinking and driving is 100% preventable. There are too many opportunities with the buddy system, Lyft and Uber to stop this issue.
Mendez is reminding everyone they will be on the road looking for anyone who is drinking and driving. To stop them, they look for anyone driving in and out of traffic lanes uncontrollably, driving too fast, and driving too slowly. If you are pulled over and have bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, these are indicators you could be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.