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.”

  • Planning to drink? Designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
  • If you don’t know whether you are impaired, call a taxi, a sober friend or family member to get home safely.
  • Promptly report drunk drivers you encounter on roadways to law enforcement.
  • If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take his or her car keys and help make other travel arrangements.
  • Wear a seat belt if in a car or a helmet if on a motorcycle. They are the best defenses in a crash caused by an impaired driver.

Participating law enforcement agencies

North Idaho: Idaho State Police, Bonners Ferry PD, Coeur d’Alene PD, Post Falls PD, Rathdrum PD, Sandpoint PD
Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office

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