December 11th, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

RE: Operation Safe Holiday

     Through the holiday season, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office will be joining Law Enforcement agencies across the state and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Office of Highway Safety for Operation Safe Holiday.  This time of year, during holiday travel and celebrations, Law Enforcement sees an increase in traffic along with unpredictable weather and slick road conditions for the motoring public to navigate.  Unfortunately, our Deputies also see an increase in impaired drivers involved in a variety of incidents that put people at risk and too often cause injuries and/or death.

     This operation will put extra Deputies on our streets looking for impaired drivers in hopes to safely intercept before they are involved in a collision or incident that causes injury or death.  Many injury and fatality crashes in recent months in this area involved drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  Deputies respond daily to reports of impaired and reckless drivers and at times have intercepted an impaired driver before tragedy strikes.  Our Deputies have seen first hand the impact these events have had on families left behind and how making a better decision to avoid driving could have prevented a tragedy.  

     We join Law Enforcement everywhere asking those who choose to incorporate alcohol or drugs into their holiday celebration to not make a potentially fatal mistake by getting behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle.  Making a smart choice to avoid driving, even if you think you’re fine, can eliminate risk to your self or others.  If you have time to plan how you celebrate the holidays, you have time to plan for a safe ride, for others to help you stay safe, and to celebrate responsibly. 

     Anyone who witnesses a driver who they believe may be impaired is encouraged to report it immediately to their local Law Enforcement dispatch.  Being a good witness and helping Law Enforcement intercept a potential drunk driver could help prevent harm to others who share the roads with you.  As always, make paying complete attention to your driving a priority, obey traffic laws, wear your seatbelt, and be aware of quickly changing weather and road conditions.