Drunk Driving Statistics Indicate Disturbing Trends

The bars may be closed, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t drinking and driving in Colorado. The scary reality is that drunk driving statistics from the Colorado State Patrol show precisely the opposite is happening. From January 1 to April 30, accidents involving alcohol and marijuana increased by 32%. Most alarmingly, DUI fatalities in the first quarter of 2020 were double what they were last year.

The Growing False Sense of Security

There isn’t as much traffic on the roads. Police are busy with COVID-19 calls. It’s easier to speed and not get caught. While it may seem outlandish (and it is), the latest drunk driving statistics show that an increasing number of drivers are starting to think along those lines.

Others may be developing a more fatalistic viewpoint. Pandemic stress, job loss, health concerns, thoughts of mortality, etc., are weighing heavily on the minds of people all along the Front Range. With the latest news regarding COVID-19 in Colorado evolving each day, many are adopting a “live for today” mindset. The prospect of legal bills, medical bills, loss of driving privileges, and potential imprisonment are less effective deterrents.

Staying Safe When Others Aren’t

We are heading into the winter months and the heart of the holiday season. Christmas and New Year’s are statistically some of the most dangerous for DUI accidents in Colorado. Coupled with winter weather and other ongoing factors, drivers must exercise additional caution on every trip down the road. This includes trips during typically “safe” times of the day.

Motorists can reduce their risk by limiting their trips and not going out when it’s not necessary. When errands need to be completed, it is best to do them early in the day and before darkness falls. Whenever possible, errands should be completed during the weekday.

Call in Drunk Drivers

We encourage everyone along the Front Range to notify law enforcement when they encounter a drunk driver. In addition to 911, motorists can call the Colorado State Patrol at *277 or the Colorado State Patrol DUI line at *384 to report drunk drivers. Don’t hesitate to make that call; you just might save a life.

Contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. at (303) 447-1144. It is our pleasure to answer your questions about DUI accidents and the latest drunk driving statistics in Colorado.