ITD, ISP and local agencies across the Magic and Wood River Valley partnered to stop impaired driving, March 10th – 18th, 2013

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE – generated by our News Release ListServer

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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE

District 4 Patrol 218 West Yakima, Jerome, ID 83338-5904 (208) 324-6000

Fax (208) 324-7897

For Immediate Release: 3/31/2013 – 10 p.m.

Please direct questions to:

Sgt. Michael Wendler

Idaho State Police

208-324-6014

ITD, ISP and local agencies across the Magic and Wood River Valley partnered to stop impaired driving, March 10th – 18th, 2013

Using federal grant funds, the Idaho Transportation Department partnered with the Idaho State Police and many local agencies in the Magic and Wood River Valley to make state highways safer by funding education campaigns and high-visibility impaired driving enforcement patrols from March 10th – 18th. The campaign was part of Idaho's Toward Zero Deaths' goal.

"The effort is part of Idaho's Toward Zero Deaths' goal to someday have no traffic deaths on Idaho's roads. Traffic deaths are not just numbers. They are family members and friends lost," said Kevin Bechen, with ITD's Office of Highway Operations and Safety.

In 2010, there were 10,726 DUI arrests in Idaho and there were 96 fatalities resulting from impaired driving. In addition, there were 1,593 impaired driving crashes. 45.9% of all Idaho fatalities in 2010 were the result of impaired driving!

"You should not drive any vehicle when 'buzzed' or drunk," says Idaho State Police Sergeant Michael Wendler. "It's not worth the risk. Not only do you risk injuring or killing yourself or someone else, but the financial costs of an arrest or crash are significant," he explained.

During this campaign, District 4 Idaho State Police troopers focused on enforcement of impaired driving and seatbelt violations. Here is a summary of the results:

Total Contacts – 546

DUI Arrests – 6

Seat Belt / Child Restraint Citations – 89

Fugitives Apprehended – 5

Suspended Driver Licenses – 7

Uninsured Motorists – 60

Speeding Citations – 183

Drug Arrests – 4

Other Various Contacts – 50

For interviews, ride-alongs, or other media inquiries please contact Sgt. Wendler by email at michael.wendler@isp.idaho.gov or by phone at 208-358-5245.

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Posted in District 4 - Southern Idaho