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As reported by KUSA 9news.
DENVER - Under the piercing flashlight of a late night sobriety checkpoint, a driver may run into the Chief himself. if
Mark Trostel is the chief of the Colorado State Patrol, but the title won't let him escape his duties over Memorial Day Weekend as every uniformed officer in the department will patrol the streets looking for drunk drivers.
It's called "Colorado Target Zero" or the "Heat Is On" campaign, but slogans aside, the chief doesn't need to remind drivers that many lives are affected by drunk driving accidents during this time of year.
"It's devastating to families, every single one of them is," said Trostel.
In 2005, nearly 36 percent of all traffic fatalities in Colorado involved alcohol, leaving 217 people dead. More than half of those deaths occurred in only five counties; Adams, Denver, El Paso, Jefferson, and Weld, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Steve Neyer's son is more than a statistic to him.
"The emptiness, the shock, it changes your life forever," said Neyer.
Neyer's son died in a drunk driving wreck on June 3rd, 2001. 18-year-old Adam Neyer was a passenger, but his driver was intoxicated.
Five years later, Neyer talks to classes with an audience of DUI offenders.
"I put a mirror in their face and have them look at a potential killer," said Neyer.
"I'll say, 'Could you look at this everyday, because you have the chance to change things. If you don't, you'll end up in jail like the rest of them,'" said Neyer.
Preventing a repeat of Neyer's loss is the goal of this weekend's patrol.
From 6 p.m. Friday evening until 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, Colorado law enforcement will have DUI checkpoints established throughout the area.
State Patrol will work with several law enforcement agencies throughout Colorado during the Holiday weekend, and through the summer.
Officers will not only look for drunk drivers, but motorists who fail to use, or properly install child safety seats.
As Chief Trostel simply said, "It's a tragedy that can be averted, it doesn't have to happen."
DENVER - Under the piercing flashlight of a late night sobriety checkpoint, a driver may run into the Chief himself. if
Mark Trostel is the chief of the Colorado State Patrol, but the title won't let him escape his duties over Memorial Day Weekend as every uniformed officer in the department will patrol the streets looking for drunk drivers.
It's called "Colorado Target Zero" or the "Heat Is On" campaign, but slogans aside, the chief doesn't need to remind drivers that many lives are affected by drunk driving accidents during this time of year.
"It's devastating to families, every single one of them is," said Trostel.
In 2005, nearly 36 percent of all traffic fatalities in Colorado involved alcohol, leaving 217 people dead. More than half of those deaths occurred in only five counties; Adams, Denver, El Paso, Jefferson, and Weld, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Steve Neyer's son is more than a statistic to him.
"The emptiness, the shock, it changes your life forever," said Neyer.
Neyer's son died in a drunk driving wreck on June 3rd, 2001. 18-year-old Adam Neyer was a passenger, but his driver was intoxicated.
Five years later, Neyer talks to classes with an audience of DUI offenders.
"I put a mirror in their face and have them look at a potential killer," said Neyer.
"I'll say, 'Could you look at this everyday, because you have the chance to change things. If you don't, you'll end up in jail like the rest of them,'" said Neyer.
Preventing a repeat of Neyer's loss is the goal of this weekend's patrol.
From 6 p.m. Friday evening until 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, Colorado law enforcement will have DUI checkpoints established throughout the area.
State Patrol will work with several law enforcement agencies throughout Colorado during the Holiday weekend, and through the summer.
Officers will not only look for drunk drivers, but motorists who fail to use, or properly install child safety seats.
As Chief Trostel simply said, "It's a tragedy that can be averted, it doesn't have to happen."
