Steamboat Today: Police urge safe driving during Halloween

Archive for Friday, October 26, 2007

By Alexis DeLaCruz Friday, October 26, 2007

Tips for safe Halloween

- Designate a sober driver before going out and give the driver your car keys.

- If you have consumed alcohol, call a taxi, use public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get home safely.

- Always buckle up. It's your best defense against an impaired driver.

- Take car keys from a driver you know is impaired and help them make other arrangements to get home.

- Drivers can report drunk or aggressive drivers by calling *CSP or (STAR-277). The call is free.

Source: Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Department of Transportation

Steamboat Springs — Local law enforcement officers are encouraging people who celebrate Halloween this weekend to drive safely and be aware of children on the streets.

Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Scott Elliott said Thursday that staying safe this weekend and on Halloween requires common sense and a little planning.

"Don't drink and drive," he said. "Wear your seatbelt. Have a designated driver. Watch out for slick road conditions."

Police urge Halloween partiers to designate a driver before going out or plan on using the free Steamboat Springs Transit bus system or a taxi service.

"It is a scary to think that some drivers cannot understand the very simple fact that if you drink, you do not drive," said State Patrol Chief Col. Mark Trostel. "Driving impaired is no accident, and when we catch you for driving impaired this Halloween or anytime, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses."

During statewide Halloween weekend enforcement in 2006, State Patrol troopers arrested 562 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, Trostel said.

Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation are beefing up drunken driving enforcement across the state beginning at 6 p.m. today and ending at 3 a.m. Nov. 1 as part of the state's ongoing Heat Is On campaign.

Pam Hutton, CDOT's governor's representative for highway safety, said 217 people died in 2006 in accidents related to drunk driving.

"Halloween should be a time for scary costumes, trick-or-treating with the kids and good family fun," she said. "Unfortunately, Halloween has also become a very dangerous and deadly time of year due to impaired driving."

justice4all ( anonymous ) says...

For information about how the D A 's investigator, Joseph Deangelo handles investigations, do this: Go to YAHOO or GOOGLE search, enter the name, JOSEPH DEANGELO search and read # 4---"-Fort Wayne, Indiana police". YOU WILL BE AMAZED AND DISAPPOINTED TO SAY THE LEAST !!!!!

October 26, 2007 at 1:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CoJustice ( anonymous ) says...

Thank goodness for the CSP, keeping our loved ones safe.

October 28, 2007 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

JQPUBLIC ( anonymous ) says...

"Driving impaired is no accident, and when we catch you for driving impaired this Halloween or anytime, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses." WITH "we will arrest you" & "no exceptions" being the operative phrases.... there seems to be at least one exception.

October 29, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

katrinkakelly ( anonymous ) says...

"It is a scary to think that some drivers cannot understand the very simple fact that if you drink, you do not drive," said State Patrol Chief Col. Mark Trostel.

October 29, 2007 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )