Winter Plans Need Sober Rides
12/13/2024
Idaho City Police Department joins statewide effort to stop impaired drivers this holiday season
Idaho City, IDAHO – This winter holiday season the Idaho City Police Department is joining the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and law enforcement agencies across Idaho to take impaired drivers off the roads. Now through New Year’s Day, law enforcement will be on heightened watch for drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol and remind everyone, before heading out to a holiday celebration, make a plan to have a sober ride home.
According to OHS data, more than 1,700 impaired driving crashes killed 105 people in Idaho during 2023. Tragically, impaired driving puts Idahoans at risk every day and is completely preventable. Last year law enforcement officers made 7,645 DUI arrests throughout the state.
“Drunk driving should never be an option for getting home,” said Idaho City Police Chief Watson. “We want our community to have a joy-filled holiday season, but we want everyone to do so responsibly, and that means not drinking and driving. There are too many choices for a safe ride home. Use them,” Watson said.
Drivers should be safe during the holidays by planning ahead if they intend to drink. Designate a sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride. And for others, if a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, please be proactive — take away the keys and help them get home safely. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement.
For more information about impaired driving in Idaho visit shift-idaho.org/beheretomorrow.