Idaho Transportation Department: “Choose to drink? Choose your ride.”

IDAHO FALLS — If you’re drinking next week, arrange a ride — so police don’t have to give you one.

That’s the message law enforcement is sending to residents across east Idaho this week. Regional sheriff’s offices, police departments and Idaho State Police are teaming up with the Idaho Transportation Department as part of the St. Patrick’s Day Impaired Driving Mobilization.

“Our agency is committed to helping keep our roadways safe,” Idaho Falls Police Chief Mark McBride said in a news release. “We’re glad to be able to provide extra patrols during the next couple of weeks to help combat impaired driving.”

During the mobilization from March 12 to 20, local law enforcement will be conducting education campaigns and high‐visibility enforcement patrols statewide searching for drunk and impaired drivers. Law enforcement agencies each received grant funding from ITD’s Office of Highway Safety to help pay for additional enforcement to support the safety campaign.

“We will have officers out paying attention to drivers,” Rexburg Police Capt. Randy Lewis said. “Luckily we don’t have any bars in town, so we aren’t as affected.”

Idaho Falls Police spokeswoman Joelyn Hansen told EastIdahoNews.com that last year, during the mobilization time, IFPD arrested around ten people for drunk or impaired driving.

“Driving any vehicle – including a motorcycle – when ‘buzzed’ or drunk is wrong and not worth the risk,” ITD spokeswoman Mary Burke said. “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving are significant.”

Drunk drivers face jail time, loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, unpaid time away from work and many other expenses.

“An impaired driver is not typically only given a citation,” Bonneville County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Dewey told EastIdahoNews.com. “The suspect is usually placed under arrest.”

Dewey said the bond for people jailed on their first DUI offense is set at $500. A second offense results in a $1,000 bond, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days in jail. A third offense (within 10 years) is a felony and requires an appearance in front of a judge. Fines and court costs would follow if the suspect is found guilty.

Instead of risking arrest or endangering a life, drinkers should get a designated driver instead, Idaho Falls Police Department said.

ITD and Idaho Falls police have offered these tips for safe driving:

• Whenever alcohol will be consumed, designate a sober driver before going out and give that person the car keys.
• Call a taxi, sober friend or family member to get you home safely if you’re impaired.
• Promptly report drunk drivers to law enforcement.
• Wear your seatbelt while in your car or use a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle. These are defenses against an impaired driver.
• Promptly report drunk drivers seen on roadways to law enforcement.
• If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take his or her keys and help make other safe travel arrangements.