Office Party Weekend Makes Record 459 DUI Arrests

Law enforcement agencies made a record 459 DUI arrests during Office Party Weekend DUI enforcement, reports the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The arrests came during the enforcement period that started at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 15 and ended at 3 a.m. on Monday, December 18. The arrests are the highest in the nine years of conducting this enforcement period. Last year agencies made 417 DUI arrests and in 2004, agencies made 388 such arrests.

In December 2005 in Colorado, more than a third of the traffic deaths involved alcohol. Fifty-five people lost their lives on Colorado highways last December and 20 of the fatalities were alcohol-related. During the 2005 to 2006 Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods, four people died. Two of the deaths involved alcohol and three of the victims did not use seat belts.

“Our main goal during the holidays, or anytime during the year, is to reduce fatalities,” said Col. Mark Trostel, Chief of the CSP. “The best gift you can give to yourself, your family and friends and to law enforcement is to not drink and drive. Designate your sober driver in advance – before the festivities begin, and always buckle up.” Col. Trostel reminds motorists that they can report drunk drivers by calling STAR CSP (*277).

This is fourth record set in 2006 by the The Heat Is On campaign for DUI arrests made during campaign enforcement periods. The records were set during the Memorial Day weekend (708 DUI arrests), National Crackdown at the end of the summer (1,969 DUI arrests), the Halloween enforcement period (562) and Office Party Weekend (459 DUI arrests).

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