Untitled Document

Make the right choice: Don't drink and drive this holiday

Fourth of July holiday celebrations mean barbecues, camping, boating and maybe some alcohol, so ITD reminds motorists to make the right choice by not driving after drinking.

“If your Independence Day celebration involves alcohol, avoid driving any vehicle when ‘buzzed’ or drunk,” said Kevin Bechen of ITD’s Office of Highway Safety. “It’s not worth the risk.”

“Not only do you risk injuring or killing yourself or someone else, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving are significant,” Bechen added.

A few simple precautions before celebrating can prevent a drunk-driving tragedy.

If you plan on consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.
If you’re impaired, call a taxi, a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
Use available Sober Rides programs.
Promptly report suspected drunk drivers to law enforcement. To contact the Idaho State Police, call *ISP.
If you know that someone is about to drive while impaired, take his or her keys and help make other transportation arrangements.

“Your best defense against drunk drivers is to always wear a seat belt if in a car or a helmet if on a motorcycle,” Bechen said.

ITD's Office of Highway Safety works to reduce deaths and injuries from traffic crashes associated with dangerous driving behaviors. This effort is part of ITD's commitment to achieve a goal of zero deaths on Idaho's highways.