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DUI checkpoint cracks down on drivers over Fourth of July

Posted at 4:30 AM, Jul 04, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-04 08:48:58-04

DENVER — The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest days of the year for drunk driving crashes. Law enforcement agencies increased patrols over the long holiday weekend and into the week in efforts to decrease DUI crashes and deaths.

Denver Police conducted a DUI checkpoint at two locations on Speer Boulevard on Saturday night, contacting 1,031 people. Officers made two DUI arrests at the checkpoint locations and five others in the city of Denver, totaling at seven DUI arrests on Saturday evening.

The Colorado Department of Transportation compiled a list of DUI crashes and fatalities from years past. In 2013, there were 5,026 crashes and 53 deaths. 2014 saw 5,256 crashes and 44 deaths. In 2015, there were 5,389 crashes and 59 deaths. Despite the dip in fatalities from 2013-2014, the state of Colorado saw an increased number of DUI crashes each year. To view the full list of crashes and fatalities broken up by county click here.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) shared the following statistics with Denver7:

-Research shows that for every dollar invested in checkpoints, communities save between $6 and $23 from alcohol-related crashes.

-Research also shows that checkpoints save lives - they are proved to reduce deaths by 20 percent.

MADD is partnering with Uber on Tuesday night to offer discounts to and from the Rockies game at Coors Field. Current and existing users can use the promo code “ROCKIES4TH." The code is good for $4 off one trip to or from Coors Field for the Rockies Fireworks game on July 4.