8/15/2008
No impaired driving fatalities reported during July 4 holiday period
BOISE - A stepped up law enforcement effort looking for impaired drivers, July 2-7, appears to have worked with no impaired driving fatalities reported during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
While the mobilization helped keep motorists safer on Idaho highways, law enforcement officers also made more than 300 arrests and issued 1,723 citations for a variety of infractions during the six-day period.
Statewide, 32 law enforcement agencies participated in the overtime patrols funded through a federal grant administered by ITD, according to Kevin Bechen, with ITD's Office of Highway Operations and Safety.
Participating officers stopped more than 2,400 vehicles and made 87 arrests for "driving under the influence" and 48 underage alcohol arrests. In addition, they apprehended 82 fugitives, recovered a stolen vehicle, and made 44 felony and 52 drug arrests.
Officers issued additional citations for a number of violations, including:
- 132 seat belt citations
- Three youth seat belt citations
- 10 child safety seat citations
- 119 suspended license citations
- 334 uninsured motorist citations
- 1084 speeding citations
- Six youth speeding citations
- 35 reckless driving citations
ITD will fund another impaired driving law enforcement mobilization Aug. 20 - Sept. 3.