Beginning this week, the Idaho State Police will be increasing their DUI patrols through March 22nd. The Idaho State Police will be partnering with local law enforcement agencies and the Idaho Transportation Department Office of Highway Safety using grant money from the Office of Highway Safety. The grant money allows officers to take part in a nationwide effort to reduce impaired drivers and reduce the collisions caused by them. The increased DUI patrols will be worked in strategic areas and on evenings likely to encounter impaired drivers. These mobilization patrols are strict and follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) drunk driving slogan, "Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest." Idaho has a per se law of .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) by breath or blood and .02 for persons under the age of 21. Troopers working these shifts will be utilizing mobile breath testing equipment that allows for a faster return of the driver's BAC. The goal of this project is to support the statewide highway safety goal of reducing motor vehicle related deaths and serious injuries as a result of impaired drivers by increasing law enforcement presence and increasing arrests of those impaired drivers.
During the campaign, officers will be watching for impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances.
If your parties or social life involve alcohol, avoid driving any vehicle when 'buzzed' or drunk. It's not worth the risk. Not only do you risk injuring or killing yourself or someone else, but the financial costs of an arrest or crash are significant.
In 2009, there were 12,327 DUI arrests in Idaho, resulting in 65 fatalities. 29% of all Idaho fatalities were the result of an impaired driving crash and 77% of those killed were not restrained.
- 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.
- Promptly report drunk drivers you see on roadways to law enforcement. To contact the Idaho State Police, call *ISP or 208-525-7277.
- If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take his or her keys and help make other transportation.
For on-camera interviews with ISP or a ride-along, contact:
Sgt. Chris Elverud 208-559-6130
Lt. Chris Weadick 208-521-6279
