June 30, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

RE:  Impaired Driving Mobilization

     The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and other Law Enforcement agencies from around the state to participate in an impaired driving mobilization over the 4th of July holiday weekend.  Starting tomorrow, and extending through the holiday weekend, extra Deputies will be on patrol in Bonneville County looking for and responding to reports of intoxicated drivers. 

     This is already the time of year when we see an increase in our area of vacation and tourist travelers along with holiday and backcountry recreation traffic.  Unfortunately this is also a time of year our Deputies and area Law Enforcement come in contact with intoxicated motorists on traffic stops and crash events.  Many of these events could have easily been avoided or lessened if driver’s who were too impaired to drive made the smart choice to avoid getting behind the wheel.  Our Deputies respond to reports of intoxicated drivers every day and have made over 70 DUI related arrests so far this year.  By partnering with ITD and area Law Enforcement on this mobilization we hope this extra presence on our roads will give us the ability to intercept those who make the dangerous choice to get behind the wheel after using alcohol or drugs and prevent a tragedy.

     Wherever you plan to celebrate the holiday weekend, whether its off road on your motorcycle or ATV, on a boat, or on the road, take the time to plan for safety and don’t take a chance by getting behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking or using drugs.  Celebrate the 4th of July responsibly by having a sober driver or safe ride to get you home, help your friends avoid the temptation of driving while buzzed or intoxicated, and if you suspect a motorist is driving intoxicated contact your local Law Enforcement dispatch to report them.