‘Tis the season to prevent drunk driving

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Drunk driving incidents happen every day. They happen more often on weekends, and especially during the holiday season.

A recent study shows Idaho ranked 8th in the U.S. for DUIs with 2.33 DUIs per one thousand drivers.

In 2022, Idaho had 66 traffic fatalities were alcohol-related, according to another study. That means almost 30% of the state’s traffic fatalities involved drunk driving.

Last month, we talked about drunk driving during the Thanksgiving holiday. Christmas and New Year’s are days when it’s just as important to drive carefully.

Idaho State Police increases its patrols during the holiday season.

“We have emphasis patrols,” ISP corporal Amanda Ward said. “And we get together and partner with the other agencies…and make sure that we’re out there watching for [drunk driving] and helping to prevent it.”

The police aren’t the only ones trying to help prevent drunk driving incidents. Denny’s Wrecker Service in Chubbuck is running its T.O.W.E.D. campaign this season. 

It offers free towing for people who are too drunk to drive. People just need to call their dispatch number at 208-237-0671.

“We’ve seen too much property damage and loss that go along with drinking and driving,” Denny’s Wrecker Service’s CEO DeAnn Wilson said. “So we wanna just do something to prevent that.”

If people see their friends or family members about to drive under the influence, they should do everything they can to convince them not to.

“If they’re adamant against it,” IFPD patrol lieutenant Robert Lasher said. “For their safety and the safety of others, you can always call the police.”

People need to drink responsibly and recognize when they shouldn’t be driving.

“Impaired driving is a choice. It’s a hundred percent preventable,” Ward said. “We hope that people can make the decision to not drive impaired ahead of time.”