Law enforcement to focus on impaired drivers Labor Day is a busy time on Idaho highways for travelers who want to squeeze in one last getaway or other activity before summer informally ends. To help keep those journeys safe, ITD encourages motorists to not drive while impaired. ITD and law enforcement officers throughout Idaho will partner in a high-visibility, impaired-driving education and enforcement campaign beginning Monday (Aug. 26) and continuing through Sept. 8. The campaign is part of a nationwide Labor Day education and enforcement campaign that targets drunk driving. The transportation department makes highway safety funds available to local law enforcement agencies to pay for their additional efforts to support the safety campaign. By increasing patrols, officers expect to arrest more impaired drivers and make the holiday weekend safer for motorists. “Timing for the law enforcement effort is significant because the Labor Day holiday period has become notorious as a time when many drivers and motorcyclists make the deadly decision to drive or ride drunk,” said Kevin Bechen with ITD’s Office of Highway Safety. “Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime,” Bechen said. “Alcohol, drugs and driving just don’t mix.” Last year, 73 people died across the state as a result of impaired-driving crashes. Besides the emotional toll inflicted on families and friends, impaired-driving crashes cost Idaho citizens more than $600 million annually. Costs are passed on to taxpayers through increased insurance premiums and charges for medical care, lost productivity, legal fees, property damage, travel delays and emergency services. “Don’t become a highway statistic,” Bechen said. “Much of the tragedy from drunk driving can be prevented with a few simple precautions, starting with planning ahead.”
Participating law enforcement agencies North Idaho: Idaho State Police, Bonners Ferry PD, Coeur d’Alene PD, Post Falls PD, Rathdrum PD, Sandpoint PD North-central Idaho: Idaho State Police, Kamiah PD, Lewiston PD, Moscow PD, Orofino PD, Latah County Sheriff’s Office, Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office Southwest Idaho: Idaho State Police, Boise PD, Cascade PD, Emmett PD, Fruitland PD, Kuna PD, McCall PD, Meridian PD, Nampa PD, Parma PD, Wilder PD, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Boise County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office South-central Idaho: Idaho State Police, Bellevue PD, Filer PD, Hailey PD, Jerome PD, Ketchum PD, Rupert PD, Twin Falls PD, Jerome County Sheriff’s Office, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office Southeast Idaho: Idaho State Police, Chubbuck PD, Montpelier PD, Pocatello PD, Shelley PD, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Power County Sheriff’s Office Eastern Idaho: Idaho State Police, Idaho Falls PD, Iona PD, Rexburg PD, Rigby PD, St. Anthony PD, Ucon PD, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Teton County Sheriff’s Office. Published 8-23-13 |