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Statewide impaired driving campaign under way

Make the right choice and don't drive impaired this Thanksgiving holiday because law enforcement agencies statewide are dedicating additional time and deploying extra patrols to catch and arrest impaired drivers.

The goal of the holiday safety effort that continues through Nov. 30 is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Idaho highways caused by impaired drivers.

"It is not OK to drive impaired. If you are caught, you will be arrested," said Kevin Bechen with ITD's Office of Highway Operations and Safety. "It is especially important to set a good example for family members this Thanksgiving holiday by choosing not to drive impaired and insisting that everyone in your vehicle wear a seat belt."

Last year, 101 people were killed in crashes involving impaired drivers on the states highways; 316 others were critically injured, according to ITD statistics. More than 80 percent of those killed in impaired driving crashes were not wearing seat belts.

"Buckling up remains the single, best defense against serious injury or death for you and your passengers if you’re involved in a crash," said Mary Hunter, ITD's highway safety manager.

Bechen said that 34 Idaho law enforcement agencies, including Idaho State Police, all sheriffs' offices and many city police departments, are participating in the enforcement campaign.

The effort is being funded by a federal grant administered by ITD.