WASHINGTON — As drivers hit the road this holiday season to head home, The Washington Department of Transportation and Idaho Office of Highway Safety will be enforcing safe driving.
Law enforcement will be on heightened watch for drivers under the influence and remind everyone, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
In Washington, agencies across the state will have an increased presence on roads over a period from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1 to help remind everyone to drive safely. These patrols will be monitoring traffic for impaired drivers.
Last year, 740 people died on Washington roads, with half of those involving alcohol or drug impaired driving.
Also in Idaho, more than 50 law enforcement agencies across the state will be increasing patrols from Dec. 15 – Jan. 1. According to data from OHS, last year in Idaho there were 1,818 impaired driving crashes killing 110 people.
Impaired driving is preventable but is one of the top risk factors in fatal crashes. Impairment begins at a lower blood alcohol concentration than just the .08 legal limit.
Reduced muscle control, impaired judgment and reduced alertness begin at just a .05 BAC and when someone reaches .07 BAC that can double their risk of being involved in an accident.
To help prevent impaired driving accidents,
WTSC offers some advice for holiday revelers before they get behind the wheel:
Designate a sober driver before drinking,Pre-plan the trip home by scheduling a rideshare or cab pick-up,Arrange for family or friends to stay the night after holiday festivities,Use public transportationor call 911 if you see or suspect someone is driving impaired
