State Patrol DUI team to increase patrol Labor Day weekend

The Colorado State Patrol statewide DUI team and CSP Troop 2D will be conducting saturation patrols in Pueblo County during Labor Day weekend, according to a CSP news release. The enforcement event will begin Friday, Aug. 30, and go through the morning of Monday, Sept. 2.

The operation is specifically focused on the major traffic arteries and their feeder roads throughout Pueblo County.

"However, any dangerous driving behaviors observed or reported will be addressed," CSP officials said in the release.

"Pueblo County has experienced 78 fatality crashes and 231 crashes where occupants sustained serious bodily injury since 2020," the release stated. "That's 78 families who have been devastated by the loss of a loved one and at least 231 others who have suffered serious trauma; some life-altering. The majority of these incidents occurred on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The leading causal factors for these crashes were lane violations, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving, CSP said in the release.

"Our mission is to stop this 'in its tracks' and save as many lives as absolutely possible. State troopers will be dedicated to the detection and apprehension of drivers who may be impaired by or otherwise under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of these substances," CSP officials said.

Labor Day weekend in Pueblo is also the second weekend of the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Capt. Michael Tafoya, commander of CSP Troop 2D, told the Chieftain that the fair generally results in an increase in impaired driving, with people from all over the state coming down to Pueblo to see the attractions. Tafoya said impaired driving arrests during the fair are often a "mixed bag" between out-of-towners and Puebloans.

During Labor Day weekend, traffic and travel also increase, increasing risk factors for drivers, Tafoya said. Tafoya said he did not know off-hand how many accidents were reported to CSP over Labor Day 2023, but urged drivers to drive safely.

"Drive safe, be patient, consider how your decisions and actions impact other motorists on the road, just make sure that you and other drivers get home safely."

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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: CSP announces surge patrol in Pueblo County over Labor Day weekend