During June and July alone, approximately 1/3 of the 129 “fatals,” fatal auto accidents, involved a likely impaired driver. The Heat Is On is a campaign aimed at reducing those shocking numbers. DUI checkpoints play a significant role in reducing impaired driving, and for a 20-day period this year, spanning the Labor Day Weekend, the HEAT IS DEFINITELY ON!

Make Sure That If You See This In Front Of You, You Have NOTHING To Worry About! Cartoons or Cuffed? It Is YOUR CHOICE!

A reduction in impaired driving is anticipated as a result of the direct interdiction as well as being a result of the prophylactic effect of DUI checkpoints. In other words, the checkpoints both catch possibly impaired drivers as well as scaring others who might drive impaired to modify their behavior to avoid the dangerous decision to drive drunk.

Fact Or Fiction? YOU Get To Decide!

I say “impairment” since that negative impact on driving ability and performance can be the result of drugs, alcohol, or a mixture of both. Lack of sleep contributes to the problem, as does distracted driving.

REMEMBER! Mixing marijuana and alcohol results in a synergistic impact. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Mixing pot and alcohol results in far more impairment than would be expected from either alone. SO IF you are going to drink, smoke, or do both, watch cartoons instead of driving. Avoid putting yourself and others at risk of death or life-altering injury. An incidental benefit is that a DUI can really cost $25,000 or more. We used to think that the number was $10,000. We thought, incorrectly, that a DUI would cost roughly $10,000.oo for a first offense. My current thinking after 48 years of handling DUI defense is that a first offense impaired driving charge will cost the errant driver a minimum of $25,000.  Consider that some particularly skilled DUI lawyers can cost $25,000 or more, especially if the case goes to a jury trial. And that is just the attorney’s fee!

Add to that the impact on auto insurance, as well as the impact on professional licensing like a nursing license or of a career-ending license loss of any type. Did I mention the risk of zero driving for a year (test refusal)? Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Do NOT get a “red license.” Get to know your Uber driver since you’ll be on a first-name basis.

And there is always the risk of killing someone. 149 dead in two months puts the stark reality to the number. This is not a mere “statistic.” It is a count of ruined-ended lives of real people. Fathers, mothers, siblings, and the rest are at risk of having their lives ended or altered forever.

Am I being dramatic? YES! Am I being real? YES! How many Uber trips or vacations in their entirety can be paid for with an extra $25,000 in your pocket? How about a trip to France including Michelin starred restaurants? Even that trip for two costs less than a first DUI charge!

So get a buzz if that floats your boat and if you are of age and if you have no responsibilities like children in your care or car. But please, DO NOT DRIVE! I do not want to die today or tomorrow or even on Sunday. Parents are almost universally willing to come and get you if the alternative is driving drunk. Embarrassing? SO WHAT! Being embarrassed by having to call for an Uber or a parent or someone else for a ride cannot be compared to killing someone.

Risk being grounded or risk being charged with homicide. While a lawyer can fix many things, we still cannot fix death. Does it matter if the body is that of the criminal or that of a victim of criminal behavior? Probably not much. Dead is dead. Again, am I being dramatic? 1/3 of all Colorado auto deaths are attributed to impaired driving. That is perhaps bigger than the population of your entire block! Can you imagine dropping a boulder on top of your block which is large enough to crush the entire block and everyone in it? I personally do not want to imagine that, and certainly do not want to be the one dropping the boulder!

Be safe out there.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and syndicated blogger and author.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com