Plan for a safe St. Patrick’s Day

Those who plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this Sunday should plan now for a sober ride home.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is joining other law enforcement agencies and the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety to increase patrols for impaired driving through Monday.

While police keep watch for impaired drivers, all community members can help prevent dangerous drivers from causing collisions.

“If a friend drives drunk, step in and take away the keys,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “If it is your turn to be the designated driver, take the job seriously and don’t drink. Make the smart choice to plan for a sober driver to get you and your friends and family home safely.”

In 2022, 51% of all crash fatalities were the result of an impaired driving crash and 11% of all fatal and injury crashes involved an impaired driver, pedestrian or bicyclist, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.

“At any time, driving and excessive amounts of alcohol are a deadly combination,” AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said in a news release. “As people look to make the most of this weekend, a good safety plan must be a critical part of the equation.”

This weekend, party hosts should have a plan for everyone to make it home safely or spend the night. Have non-alcoholic beverage options on hand, especially as the night winds down.

Download an app like Uber or Lyft to get a ride or have a phone number for a taxi service handy. Hayden-based Watkins Distributing is offering coupons for people to get rides during the holiday weekend.

Choose a designated driver before the party starts and scan the road for pedestrians who may be out at night.