Law enforcement cracking down on holiday drinking, driving
OSBURN — Driving conditions in the Silver Valley can be dangerous around this time of the year.
With Old Man Winter hitting us with snow, rain and freezing temperatures, even a sober driver could end up on the side of the road in a snow bank — or worse.
This holiday season, local law enforcement agencies and the Idaho Transportation Department are making sure that drunk driving is not added to that aforementioned list of winter obstacles.
Starting last Wednesday, ITD announced that additional officers, deputies and troopers will be out until the new year looking for impaired drivers.
“We understand this is a time of year when people like to celebrate,” Lisa Losness from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety said. “It’s important to have a plan for a sober ride home before the celebrating begins.”
Here in our area, the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police will be the ones stepping up DUI detection.
Jeremy Groves, SCSO captain, says “SCSO will work jointly with all of our surrounding and state agencies during these busy times of the season.”
The United States Federal Highway Administration reports in 2016, there were five vehicle fatalities related to alcohol-impared driving in Shoshone County.
These types of incidents occur around certain times of the year in our area (Labor Day, Memorial Day, festivals, etc.) — one of which is the holiday season.
“With this being the holiday season,” Groves explained, “many people will be traveling through, so we will see an influx of vehicle traffic. This means…possibly more drivers under the influence.”
These drunk drivers add risks to an already dangerous situation, especially in our neck of the woods.
“In regards to our area,” Groves said, “we have numerous highways or roadways which are more mountain terrain or out of the way areas. That said, at times these roadways can become icy, snow covered and degrade faster than populated interstate roadways. If you have someone operating a vehicle while being impaired, your timing, reaction and judgment becomes impaired, and this is why it’s emphasized to not drive impaired. When you throw all these factors in, this is why you see an increase in vehicles off the roadway or involved in crashes.”
Coming in with the one-two punch, ISP will also be stepping up its presence in the region.
Chris Schenck, ISL Lieutenant, stated that their “biggest goal is to keep the highway as safe as possible, especially during the holiday season.”
He also mentioned during this holiday season, ISP will conduct a “no refusal” weekend.
During these days, drivers who are suspected of impaired driving and pulled over will not be able to refuse a DUI test.
If drivers refuse the breathalyzer, ISP will pursue a warrant to get a blood test.
Idaho State Code 18-8004, Driving Under the Influence, has several possible penalties or fines including a Misdemeanor DUI, Excessive DUI, which means a Breath Alcohol Content is above a .20 BAC, and then 3rd offense or more in 10 years is charged as a Felony.
Penalties for committing these offenses vary case by case.
Groves reassures residents that SCSO wants everyone to enjoy this time of the year, but simply want drivers to be safe.
“We at the sheriff’s office wish everyone the best and safest holiday season possible and encourage everyone to be responsible during the celebrating times.”