Craig — GasBuddy, the authoritative voice on pump prices, projects consumers will save $1.6 billion on gas during year-end travels compared to last year, according to a news release.

According to the annual GasBuddy holiday travel survey, 88 percent of those heading out of town will be doing so by car, with a majority (66 percent) driving at least 200 miles round trip.

It wasn’t long ago when motorists were paying more than $3 per gallon during the winter months, a far cry from today’s national average of $2.01, which has risen after falling to $1.99. Gas prices during the holidays haven’t been this cheap since 2008, when few Americans noticed the low prices amidst the Great Recession.

DUI enforcement cites 596 impaired drivers

The Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies successfully completed holiday party DUI enforcement under The Heat Is On campaign, resulting in 596 drivers arrested for impaired driving, according to a news release.

The Holiday Party DUI enforcement period began Dec. 4 and concluded Dec. 14. A total of 91 CSP troops and local law enforcement agencies participated in the crackdown.

“The collaboration between law enforcement agencies removes impaired drivers from Colorado’s roads and keeps our neighborhoods safe,” Col. Scott Hernandez, chief of Colorado State Patrol, said in a statement. “There is no excuse to drive while impaired with so many safe alternatives available.”

A recent study by responsibility.org indicates 57 percent of Denver adults do not know the legal driving limit of .08 for a DUI. Drivers can also be cited for a Driving While Ability Impaired with a BAC of .05, but the study did not look at the understanding of that limit.

Coloradans can download CDOT’s R U Buzzed app which estimates a user’s BAC based on their gender, weight, hours drinking and the amount of alcohol consumed.

 The Heat Is On campaign continues with heightened New Year’s Eve DUI enforcement beginning Dec. 30 through Jan. 4.