Untitled Document

Idaho law enforcement agencies step up holiday patrols

Idaho law enforcement agencies will step up impaired driving patrols this holiday season
Keep your holiday season merry, just don’t overdo it. Law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho will step up patrols to catch and arrest impaired drivers during the holidays.

ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety is providing money statewide for the Idaho's law enforcement agencies to conduct overtime patrols searching for and arresting drunk or impaired drivers from Dec. 16 through New Year’s Day. Last year, 110 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Idaho.

“It is estimated that each fatality caused by impaired driving costs Idahoans as much as $3 million,” said Kevin Bechen with ITD. “The toll that impaired or drunk driving fatalities take on families is truly heartbreaking, particularly during the holiday season.”

Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is illegal in Idaho. 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 driving under the influence (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.

Money for the overtime patrol effort is supplied through a federal grant administered by ITD, Bechen said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers several tips to prevent drinking and driving.

Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver before you go out and give that person your keys
If you are impaired, call a taxi or a sober friend or family member to get you home safely
Promptly report drunk drivers to law enforcement agencies.
Wear seat belt while in a car or use a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle. This is your best defense against an impaired driver.
If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take his or her keys and help make other safe travel arrangements.

“Saving lives on our roads is a top priority and we need everyone’s help to do it,” Bechen said.

“This holiday season don’t let your year end in an arrest—or even worse, death. Make smart decisions.”

“Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk,” he said. “Think before you choose to drink. Don’t end up spending your money on bail, court, lawyers and towing fees instead of buying holiday presents for and spending time with loved ones. That’s a bad way to end the year.”