9/28/2007
ITD provides overtime help with DUI campaign, more safety campaigns planned
BOISE - Idaho law enforcement agencies took advantage of overtime help from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and increased patrols to arrest impaired drivers in August and over the Labor Day weekend, according to Kevin Bechen with ITD's Office of Highway Operations and Safety.
Preliminary numbers show that the Idaho State Police, along with county sheriffs and local police departments across the state, made 200 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests during the 11-day period from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3.
While 12 reported fatalities occurred over the Labor Day weekend it appears that only one was the result of impaired driving, Bechen said.
"Because of federal funding through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, ITD can work with Idaho law enforcement agencies by providing money to help with overtime costs and alcohol-sensing equipment to help reduce drunk-driving crashes and needless injuries and fatalities," he said.
More highway safety mobilization efforts targeting impaired drivers are planned for the coming year in addition to increased efforts aimed to improve seat belt usage and curb aggressive driving.
Additional impaired driving campaigns are set for the holiday season (Dec. 17, 2007, to Jan. 2, 2008), St Patrick's Day (March 12-19, 2008), Independence Day (July 2-7, 2008) and Labor Day (Aug. 20 - Sept. 3, 2008).
Seat Belt safety mobilizations are set for Thanksgiving period (Nov. 12-25, 2007) and the Memorial Day holiday (May 20-June 2, 2008). Two aggressive driving campaigns are planned for 2008 (April 18-27 and July 18-27).