Target drunken driving

Holiday celebrations often lead to increased impaired-driving crashes. As a deterrent, many law enforcement agencies will emphasize impaired driving patrols. In 2010, Idaho’s 10 northern counties had 437 impaired-driving crashes, 333 injuries and 21 deaths. MADD Idaho supports law enforcement efforts to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roads.

November marked the fifth anniversary of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. The campaign’s focus: Support high-visibility law enforcement to discourage driving impaired and catch impaired drivers; on all DUI convictions, require ignition interlock breathalyzers to stop cars from starting if the driver isn’t sober; develop new car passive alcohol detection systems to tag drivers at or above the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol content (BAC), and prevent vehicle operation.

MADD’s report to the nation (http://www.madd.org/blog/report-to- the-nation.html) rates Idaho at three of five stars on implementation of drunken driving countermeasures. Idaho employs administrative license revocation, no-refusal BAC testing, and enhanced penalties for DUI child endangerment, but prohibits sobriety checkpoints and doesn’t require ignition interlock devices for all convicted DUI offenders.

To help MADD Idaho eliminate drunken driving, assist DUI crash victims, and support law enforcement in targeting impaired driving, email carolyn.mattoon@madd.org or call (208) 660-6390.

Carolyn F. Mattoon

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Hayden