As we’ve reached the dog days of summer, the Colorado Department of Transportation is continuing its efforts to remove impaired drivers from Colorado’s roadways. 

In partnership with the Colorado State Patrol and a plethora of local law enforcement agencies, there will be extra enforcement on the roads statewide beginning Friday through Monday.

“This summer, make the right choice, don’t drink and drive. We all know that there are all kinds of gatherings involving the consumption of alcohol and marijuana, there is no reason to be caught off guard without a plan,” said Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol in a release. “We are responsible for our actions, and our actions behind the wheel affect the safety of other motorists, our loves ones, and ourselves.”

Last year during the Summer Strikeout DUI Enforcement period, 276 drivers were arrested and cited for impaired driving, officials said.

Through July 13, 102 people were killed on Colorado’s roads by suspected impaired drivers, which is a third of all traffic deaths this year, according to CDOT. 

26 of those deaths occurred during the month of June, which was the deadliest month so far this year. 

Between Jan. 1 and June 30, there have been seven more deaths this year when compared to last year, and 29 more than 2019. However, there were 108 deaths recorded during the same period in 2018, according to the news release. 

“Everyone traveling on Colorado roads has loved ones expecting them to arrive safely,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “Impaired-related crashes are completely avoidable. Arrange for a sober ride before consuming alcohol or marijuana. Zero deaths on Colorado roadways is the goal and impaired driving prevention and education is a major component of helping us achieve it.”