DUI Crackdowns in Colorado
Drinking and driving presents a threat to the safety of Colorado roads. The Colorado Department of Transportation recognizes this threat and is working to reduce the number of these accidents.
January 09, 2013
DUI crackdowns in ColoradoDrinking and driving presents a very real threat to the safety of Colorado roads. Drivers who indulge in drinking festivities before getting behind the wheel of a car have slower reaction times and are considerably more likely to get into an accident. The Colorado Department of Transportation recognizes this threat and is working to reduce the number of accidents on Colorado roads.
Holiday DUI Enforcement
A DUI is defined in Colorado as driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher. When law enforcement officials want to step up DUI enforcements, they typically set up check points where they look for intoxicated drivers. These check points give the officers a way to assess a large number of people. The crackdowns typically happen around the holidays; Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's are usually seen as times when people are most tempted to drive after a celebration.
Specifically, CDOT officials state that October seems to be one of the worst months for alcohol-related accidents. In 2011, according to CDOT, 10 people died in alcohol- related crashes in October alone. Officers hope to combat this trend by increasing both patrols and enforcement.
Penalties for DUI conviction
A first time offender in Colorado may face a difficult battle. One DUI can be a very expensive affair; CDOT reports that a first DUI offense can cost up to $10,000 for fines, damages, medical costs and attorney fees.
In addition, there is more to worry about than just the financial expenses. First time offenders also serve some jail time, lose their license for nine months, lose 12 license points and perform between 48 and 92 hours of public service. Offenders can have jail time suspended in certain situations if they go through an alcohol treatment program.
Seeking help when needed
As shown above, the consequences for being charged with a DUI can be pretty severe. This fact makes it all the more important for a person who is charged with a DUI violation to have good representation on his or her side.
If you have been charged with a DUI violation, it is wise to contact an experienced Colorado DUI attorney who can advocate on your behalf.
Article provided by Connell & Connell, LLC
Visit us at http://www.connell-connell.com