3/8/2018
Police around Idaho team up to stop drunk drivers
BOISE – St. Patrick’s Day is one of America’s most widely celebrated holidays, for the Irish and non-Irish alike. It’s an opportunity for many to gather with friends over corned beef and cabbage and enjoy a pint of green beer.
This year, law enforcement officers across Idaho are partnering with the Idaho Transportation Department's Office of Highway Safety to remind drivers if they choose to drink, to not get behind the wheel. From March 9-18, officers from 50 agencies will take part in a mobilization to get drunk drivers off the roads.
“St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to celebrate with friends and family,” said ITD Highway Safety Manager John Tomlinson. “We’re just asking for folks to celebrate responsibly – if you choose to drink, please don’t drive.”
Last year, officers made 247 DUI arrests across Idaho between March 10 and March 20. Impaired driving crashes contributed to nearly 35% of all deadly crashes in Idaho.
“Our goal is to keep families whole and our communities safe,” Tomlinson said. “We’re grateful that our law enforcement partners have stepped up to help make that happen. We’re asking everyone else to help that effort by making the decision to not drive drunk.”
Tomlinson recommends the following alternatives to drinking and driving:
- First: Always remember to plan ahead. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously—your friends could be relying on you.
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve only had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get home safely.
- Download the SaferRide mobile app from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, available on Google Play for Android devices: SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user’s location so he or she can be picked up.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact police.
- If you have a friend who’s had too much to drink, take the keys away and make arrangements to get them home safely.