Colorado State Patrol Running DUI Checkpoints in Grand Junction
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is setting up a DUI checkpoint in the Grand Junction area this weekend.
The CSP didn't say if there would be one or multiple checkpoints or the times and location(s) of those checkpoints.
So why release the information in advance? For one, the CSP wants to raise awareness about the problem with drinking and driving.
They also hope that letting the public know they will be more active will keep people who would normally drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both off the road.
A Background Checks study puts Colorado in the bottom half of the US as the 21st worst state for drinking and driving. On the upside, the study also found a 5.6% decrease in drunk driving arrests from the previous year.
No DUI Colorado reports 683 DWAI/DUI charges in Mesa County in 2016 making the county one of the worst in the state for drunk and drugged driving.
Besides the number of impaired drivers, the other eye-opening statistic is the average Blood Alcohol Content BAC for those arrested was 0.171. Compare that to the legal BAC limits for driving in Colorado which is 0.05 for driving while ability impaired (DWAI) and 0.08 for driving under the influence (DUI).
While informing people about DUI checkpoints is good and may help keep some from driving under the influence, the real point is this. Checkpoint or not, don't drink and drive.
If you're going to be out this weekend, give K2 Taxi a call at 970.242.4652, Sunshine Rides at 970.245.8294 or use the Uber app.