All Reasons to Drive Sober
“Life is full of adventures, whether taking a trip with your family or watching a ballgame with friends, there are so many reasons you should plan a sober ride home,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Colorado, remember why it is important to call a rideshare or plan for a sober driver. You can even stay put and crash on the couch. It’s NOT an inconvenience – you are doing the right thing.”
Colorado State Patrol wants you to remember all the reasons you should make a plan for a sober ride home or place to stay. This page provides helpful tips that could save your life and the lives of others. Take a few minutes to watch the three-part video series below that demonstrates the impacts of choosing to drive impaired.
Make a Plan
With warmer weather, many people will begin hosting barbecues, squeeze in a few more days of skiing, enjoy restaurant patios and seek out adventure to enjoy everything Colorado has to offer. Whether you are driving, riding, or hosting, planning ahead is important if your plans include alcohol or other impairing substances because there is never a good reason to drive while intoxicated.
In 2023, Colorado lost 716 lives to traffic fatalities, and the top cause for these fatal crashes was driving while impaired. Colorado and its visitors must do better. Why? Because your life and the lives of those you love are at stake.
One out of every three traffic deaths in Colorado involved an impaired driver. Simple steps can be taken to save your life and the lives of others.
If you are planning on partaking in springtime activities, remember these tips:
- Spend time with people you trust; if you think you might have a drink, designate someone else to drive who you can trust to stay sober.
- Plan ahead. If you are on your own or drinking with friends, utilize a rideshare app, arrange for someone to pick you up, or stay the night at your location.
- If traveling in a group, choose the designated driver before heading out for the night. Ensure the driver understands their responsibility for staying sober and looking out for all group members.
- Even if you are not driving, take it easy with the drinks you consume. Alcohol is a neurotoxin and can even be deadly in large amounts. Make sure to eat plenty of food and drink non-alcoholic beverages.
No matter where you live or where you are planning to attend a gathering, never take the chance of driving impaired or getting in the car with someone who has been drinking or using other substances. Tragedies are never planned.
In cooperation with the Colorado Department of Corrections, the Colorado State Patrol is sharing a three-part series regarding the story of Mercedes and Adrien. It’s about two friends and deadly decisions, that forever changed dozens of lives.
Please take a few minutes to watch the videos on the Colorado State Patrol website or look for them on our Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.