7/2/2012
Choose not to drink and drive this Independence Day holiday
BOISE - Fourth of July holiday celebrations mean barbecues, camping, boating and maybe some alcohol, so the Idaho Transportation Department reminds motorists to make the right choice and don’t drink and drive.
“If your Independence Day celebration involves alcohol, avoid driving any vehicle or motorcycle when ‘buzzed’ or drunk,” said Kevin Bechen with ITD’s Office of Highway Safety. “It’s not worth the risk.
”Law enforcement agencies across Idaho have partnered with ITD in a high-visibility education and enforcement campaign targeting impaired drivers that is under way through July 13.
“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 explained.
A few simple precautions before celebrating can prevent a drunk-driving tragedy.
Whenever 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 drunk drivers you see on roadways to law enforcement.
To contact the Idaho State Police, call *ISP.
If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take his or her keys and help make other transportation arrangements.
“Your best and only defense against drunk drivers is to always wear a seat belt,” 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 Towards Zero Deaths commitment to achieve a goal of no one dying on an Idaho highway.