Untitled Document

Statewide campaign catches more than impaired drivers

Ensuring safe travel on Idaho’s highways is a prime reason for high visibility education and enforcement campaigns that target impaired driving, such as one planned statewide for the Thanksgiving holiday period, Nov. 19-27.

ITD’s Office of Highway Safety works with partners statewide to reduce deaths and injuries from traffic crashes by utilizing federal funds to address dangerous driving behaviors. This effort is part of the department’s commitment to achieve a goal of zero deaths on Idaho’s highways.

According to statistics gathered by ITD, 49 agencies statewide participated in the last round of holiday patrols that were funded through a federal grant administered by ITD.

That Labor Day traffic safety effort identified more than just impaired drivers or those who were involved in dangerous driving behaviors or caught breaking traffic laws.

Law enforcement officers made 282 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests across the state during the 12-day period (Aug. 26 to Sept. 6).

In addition to the DUI arrests, law enforcement officers apprehended 110 fugitives, made 132 felony arrests, recorded 284 drug arrests and recovered 14 stolen vehicles. A number of additional citations also were issued during the campaign including 644 seat belt citations, 36 child passenger safety citations, 11 youth seat belt citations, 348 suspended license citations, 1,297 uninsured motorist citations, 2,526 speeding citations and 64 reckless driving citations.

“We encourage every driver to make smart choices when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle,” said Kevin Bechen, with ITD. “ITD and its highway safety partners are committed to doing everything we can to help keep families safe and whole.”