Holiday crackdown on drunk driving underway

Law enforcement agencies around Kootenai County are coming together with a single, unified message: “Don’t drive impaired this holiday season.”

Throughout the holidays, local law enforcement agencies are stepping up patrols in an effort to curb impaired driving.

"In addition to the emphasis patrols, we hope to raise the public’s awareness of the dangers of driving impaired," Sheriff Ben Wolfinger said in a press release.

Whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication, the message is still the same — don’t get behind the wheel of an automobile.

In 2014, there were 1,378 impaired driving crashes in Idaho. Of those, 72 people lost their lives and 227 were seriously injured. Almost 39 percent of all fatalities on Idaho roads and highways were the result of impaired driving.

Additional funding for impaired driving emphasis patrols by law enforcement between Dec. 18 and Jan. 6 is provided by the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety.

Here are some tips from the sheriff on how to plan ahead and avoid becoming a DUI statistic:

• Plan to not drink and drive before you start drinking. Alcohol impairs a person’s ability to determine if they should drive. You can’t count on making the right decision after you’ve been drinking.

• Designate a sober driver and give them your keys.

• Plan to call a taxi, a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.

• Offer non-alcoholic beverages when entertaining.

• Report drunk drivers to 911.

• Wear your seat belt. This is your best defense against an impaired driver.

“On behalf of the sheriff’s office and all our crime-fighting partners, we want to wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season,” Wolfinger said.