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MADD Colorado and Law Enforcement Honor Victims and Spread Hope for a Safe Holiday Season

MADD launches 2018 Tie One On for Safety red ribbon campaign

On Friday and Saturday, 43 law enforcement agencies from across Colorado participated in an enforcement event to kickoff MADD Colorado’s 2018 Tie One On For Safety campaign. This coordinated effort sought to raise awareness ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday—one of the deadliest times on our roads.

In 1986, MADD began promoting the designated driver and its longest-running annual public awareness red ribbon campaign, Tie One On for Safety. With so many options today such as Uber, taxis, public transportation and alcohol-free friends or family members, there is no excuse to drink and drive. The annual campaign runs from mid-November to New Year’s Day to remind the public to plan ahead for a safe ride home before celebrations that involve alcohol.

To launch the 2018 campaign, MADD Colorado invited every agency in the state to designate one car to patrol for impaired drivers in honor of victims and survivors of drunk and drugged driving. These designated patrol cars displayed a MADD red ribbon magnet to show support for victims and survivors while doing their patrolling activities on Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17.

“We’re grateful for the efforts our law enforcement partners give every day to ensure our roadways are safe from drunk and drugged drivers,” said Fran Lanzer, MADD Colorado Executive Director. “Everyone can do their part to help keep our holiday season joyous by planning ahead to designate a non-drinking driver every time celebrations include alcohol.”

During the enforcement effort, 129 drunk and drugged drivers were arrested. The Colorado State Patrol made the most arrests of any agency during this time, arresting 36 impaired drivers.

The following agencies participated:

  • Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
  • Auraria Police Department
  • Aurora Police Department
  • Blue River Marshal’s Office
  • Boulder County Sheriff’s Office
  • Boulder Police Department
  • Carbondale Police Department
  • Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office
  • Colorado Springs Police Department
  • Colorado State Patrol
  • Commerce City Police Department
  • Custer County Sheriff’s Office
  • Dacono Police Department
  • Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
  • Denver Police Department
  • Eagle County Sheriff’s Office
  • Edgewater Police Department
  • El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
  • Erie Police Department
  • Fort Lupton Police Department
  • Fountain Police Department
  • Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
  • Grand Junction Police Department
  • Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Holyoke Police Department
  • Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
  • La Plata County Sheriff’s Office
  • Lake County Sheriff’s Office
  • Lakewood Police Department
  • Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
  • Las Animas Sheriff’s Office
  • Log Lane Marshal Office
  • Lonetree Police Department
  • Loveland Police Department
  • Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
  • Silt Police Department
  • Steamboat Springs Police Services
  • Summit County Sheriff’s Office
  • Thornton Police Department
  • Town of Kremmling Police Department
  • University of Colorado Boulder Police Department
  • Weld County Sheriff’s Office
  • Wheat Ridge Police Department

November 16th also marked the start of Colorado’s Thanksgiving DUI enforcement period which runs through November 25th. “This heightened DUI enforcement period will help ensure the safety of all motorists by removing drug and alcohol impaired drivers before they cause a crash,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Highway Safety Office at CDOT. “In addition, pro-active campaigns by MADD that raise awareness of the importance of driving sober also go a long way in keeping our roads safe.”

The holidays are one of the most dangerous times on our nation’s roadways, with more people traveling, an increased number of festivities where alcohol is served, and a surge in drunk driving. Between 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Eve in 2017, there were 1,143 drunk driving fatalities across the country, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Colorado Drivers can show their commitment to designating a non-drinking driver and support of law enforcement’s efforts to protect the roads by displaying a MADD Tie One On for Safety red ribbon or decal on their vehicles. Please contact the MADD Colorado State Office at [email protected] to get your red ribbon.

The 2018 Tie One On For Safety Campaign is presented locally by the law firm of Bachus & Schanker, MADD Colorado’s Statewide Sponsor, with support from Uber Colorado.