DENVER — As people get ready to hit the roads this Memorial Day weekend, the Colorado State Patrol is warning drivers to be safe.
CSP took to Twitter over the weekend to express its frustrations about the number of traffic fatalities there have been on Colorado roads so far in 2018.
In one tweet, CSP said that 11 out of 19 traffic deaths in the Denver metro area since January were caused by impaired drivers.
Calling all drivers! 11 of 19 people killed in traffic crashes in the Denver Metro area since January are caused by an impaired driver. Please get the word out to drive sober as summer starts next weekend. Help us end this deadly trend! #Stopthereaper @ColPackard @CSP_News
— Major Steve Garcia (@CSP_MajorGarcia) May 21, 2018
The tweet went on to read, “That is especially troubling going into the summer driving season.”
Another tweet CSP sent out focused on the impact of crashes on families, after several deadly collisions over the weekend.
This has been a tragic weekend for several families throughout our great state. The members of the CSP implore you to put the phone down, reduce distractions, drive sober, follow at a safe
— CSP Public Affairs (@CSP_News) May 20, 2018
According to Colorado Department of Transportation data, May has been particularly bad for impaired driving. It’s caused about 67 percent of traffic crashes. More than 183 people have already died on Colorado roads this year.
According to AAA, the number of drivers expected to hit the roads in Colorado this Memorial Day will be above 760,000. CSP is warning each of those drivers to be safe.
It will be ramping up its seatbelt enforcement starting Monday and lasting through June 3 as part of its Click it or Ticket campaign.
The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is about $65.
