Graduation season is here once again and celebrations are popping up throughout the Front Range. At the same time, driving under the influence cases are becoming a bigger concern for law enforcement.
Driving under the influence can include driving after consuming alcohol or drugs, including marijuana.
"Impaired driving is a serious concern in our community and continues to pose a safety risk to other road users," the Boulder County District Attorney's Office stated via email.
In 2021, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office filed 1,533 cases of alcohol and drug-related driving offenses. The Adams County District Attorney’s Office filed 2,261.
“Drunk driving is still the number one cause of death on the road and it is a significant concern in our community and continues to pose a safety risk to other road users,” a news release from the Boulder County DA’s Office states.
Also in 2021, 691 people were killed — 50% increase from 2011 — on Colorado roads due to impaired drivers.
Impairment to some may only be viewed as having a blood-alcohol level between .05 and .08. However, the Boulder County DA shares “Colorado prohibits any amount of alcohol or drug use that affects the driver to the ‘slightest degree so that they are less able than they ordinarily would have been, either mentally or physically, to exercise clear judgment, sufficient physical control, or due care in the safe operation of a vehicle.’”
Here a few tips to prevent a DUI/DWAI for graduation or any other time of the year:
- Plan ahead. Choose a designated driver or plan to use a ride share service..
- Consider taking public transportation
In order to help protect the community the DA’s Office encourages people to make sure their friends and family have a plan for getting home safely after drinking. Also, if someone is displaying life-threatening behavior — including getting behind the wheel while under the influence — consider calling 911 or *CSP
