Refuse your roadside in Colorado? Lose your license

Think you’re getting out of trouble by refusing a roadside?

Think again.

Colorado State Patrol is cracking down on suspected drunken drivers who refuse a roadside breathalyzer.

Say “no” to a cop and you automatically lose your license for a year, up from nine months in the past. You’re also classified as a “persistent drunk driver” and must install an ignition interlock device for two years. Previously, the interlock was required for convicted DUI only.

“Refusing a chemical test is compounding a driver’s problems,” state patrol says in a press release. “Facing automatic consequences for refusal will make your life much more difficult than it needs to be.”

Impaired driving is a top-3 cause of fatal accidents in Colorado, along with speeding and distracted driving.

One simple solution: Plan a sober ride home BEFORE your night out.