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Deadliest holiday due to impaired drivers might surprise you

According to crash investigation statistics collected by Colorado State Patrol over a three-year period (2019 – 2021) the most dangerous holiday on our roads for injury and fatal car crashes caused by intoxicated drivers was Labor Day.
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Stay in your Lane campaign by Colorado State Patrol

NEWS RELEASE

COLORADO STATE PATROL

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Some holidays, like New Year’s Eve, may seem synonymous for partying and consuming impairing substances. Yet, according to crash investigation statistics collected by Colorado State Patrol over a three-year period (2019 – 2021) the most dangerous holiday on our roads for injury and fatal car crashes caused by intoxicated drivers was Labor Day.

Whether heading out for a camping trip, neighborhood barbeque or downtown patio bar, Colorado drivers need to plan for a sober ride.

Each year as the warm weather starts to stabilize around May, Colorado troopers begin to see impaired driving incidents rise. The number of driving under the influence arrests hold fairly steady through early autumn.

In 2021, the Colorado State Patrol arrested 4,665 impaired drivers with over 35% of those occurring over the four months of May through August 2022.

“While alcohol continues to be largest drug type impairing motorists on our roadways, as our agency refines our data collection troopers are seeing more types of drug combinations like a person using alcohol and marijuana on the rise,” stated Chief Matthew C. Packard, Colorado State Patrol. “If you are planning a party, be a good host and ensure no one drives away impaired. If you are going out, plan for a sober ride.”

Looking at impaired driving caused fatal and injury crashes investigated by the Colorado State Patrol by major holiday, the holiday ranked in order from most dangerous to least were:

  1. Labor Day
  2. Memorial Day
  3. Fourth of July
  4. Christmas Day
  5. New Year’s Day
  6. Thanksgiving Day

Colorado State Troopers are continuing to take a low tolerance approach to lane violations while running a yearlong campaign called “Stay in Your Lane.”  This campaign is designed to remind people to control their lane position based on their current driving environment. It also aims to bring attention to three of the most common and avoidable behaviors that contribute to lane violations - driving aggressively, driving distracted or driving while impaired.

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