Impaired Driving
8/29/2025
Statewide focus on impaired driving prevention continues through Labor Day
Idaho City, IDAHO — As Idahoans make their end of summer plans, the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and law enforcement agencies are teaming up to keep roads free of impaired drivers through Labor Day. The Idaho City Police Department continues the statewide focus to increase patrols looking for drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The high visibility enforcement campaign is part of the national effort, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” It coincides with the close of the summer driving season known as the 100 Deadliest Days--the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends when Idaho sees an increase in deadly crashes. So far this summer, at least 82 people have died on Idaho roads.
According to Idaho crash data, impaired driving was the cause of 1,665 crashes in the state during 2024, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds more. Thirty-six percent of all fatalities on Idaho roads are the result of an impaired driving crash.
“These crashes and deaths are preventable,” said Idaho City Chief of Police Brent Watson. “While officers are out looking for drunk drivers, we can all do our part. Plan ahead for a sober ride home, and if you see someone who has had too much to drink, take the keys away and help them get home safely.”
OHS and Idaho City Police want to thank the everyday heroes who help prevent tragedy. The designated drivers, the friends who call a rideshare, and the people who plan ahead before their first drink. Every sober ride home is a life protected, a crash prevented, and a family kept whole.
Join the movement to end impaired driving by following these simple steps:
- Use a sober driver, rideshare, or taxi.
- Never let friends drive impaired.
- Have a plan before the first drink.
For more information, visit shift-idaho.org.
