The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Colorado State Patrol (CSP) are teaming up with local law enforcement agencies to prevent impaired driving this Fourth of July weekend.

According to a press release from CDOT, the Fourth of July DUI enforcement period will begin on Friday (July 2) and last until Sunday (July 5). During this time, there will be an increased law enforcement presence across Colorado.

Last Fourth of July weekend, law enforcement arrested nearly 200 individuals for impaired driving.

Get our free mobile app

"Unfortunately, too many motorists choose to drive impaired, which puts everyone in danger on our roadways," said Darrell Lingk, CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety Officer, in the release. "This enforcement period will arrest and remove impaired drivers from Colorado roadways to keep you safe. With so many resources available, there is really no excuse to drive after consuming alcohol or marijuana."

CDOT's last enforcement period, titled Summer Blitz, took place in June. During that time, the Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) arrested 22 impaired drivers. Along with an increased law enforcement presence, enforcement periods can also include sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols.

This week, CDOT launched a new campaign to combat impaired driving. Titled It's Not Complicated, the initiative reminds Coloradans that "no matter how many alcoholic beverages they've had, it's never okay to drive."

Later this month, the agency will be installing a photo booth with DUI prevention messaging at the Blake Street Tavern in Denver.

According to CDOT's 2019 Breathalyzer Research Report, Coloradans often underestimate how impaired they are, especially if they've only had small amounts of alcohol. Law enforcement can arrest someone for a DUI even if their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is below .08.

PHOTOS: Worst Northern Colorado Crashes In Last 5 Years

 

More From K99