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Idaho Transportation
Department

Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
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ITD reminds Fourth of July party-goers to designate a sober driver

ITD reminds drivers that “buzzed” driving is drunk driving and that Fourth of July party-goers need to designate a sober driver or make alternate transportation plans before holiday celebrations begin.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho will be out in force to find and arrest impaired drivers. Funding for the patrol effort is supplied through a federal grant administered by ITD, said Kevin Bechen with ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety.

“Nationwide, impaired drivers make the summer holiday one of the deadliest holiday periods of the year,” Bechen said. “Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime. Alcohol, drugs and driving just don’t mix.”

Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is illegal in Idaho -- .02 if you are under 21. Driving skills start to deteriorate around .05 BAC.

Law enforcement officers will take a driver's license on the spot if a driver is arrested for a DUI. For a first offense, the license is lost for 90 days following failed evidentiary testing, or one year if the test is refused -- in addition to other penalties that will be imposed for a DUI offense.

Much of the tragedy from drunk driving can be prevented with a few simple precautions before going out to celebrate, Bechen said, starting with planning ahead.

  • Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate your 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.
  • If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.
  • Your best defense against a drunk driver is to wear your seat belt.

“It’s not hard to recognize someone who’s had way too much to drink,” Bechen said. “But you don’t have to be ‘falling down drunk’ to be a serious threat to yourself and others on the road.” .

 

Published 6-22-07