A little holiday cheer can go a long way
As party-goers celebrate the holidays with friends and family, law enforcement administrators across Bonner County want to remind everyone to keep the party off the road. Remember, buzzed driving is drunken driving.
“After hearing about the dangers of drinking and driving time after time, most people have gotten the message if they’re planning on drinking they should always plan a safe way home,” is repeated by law enforcement administrators across Bonner County. “But sadly, millions of Americans still think they are invincible and regularly choose to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks.”
These law enforcement administrators indicate parents should take note that young males were at particularly high risk, with nearly one-quarter admitting to riding with someone who should not have been behind the wheel in the past year.
The law enforcement administrators across Bonner County further state: “We all know that the holiday season can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in drunken driving. Don’t let your 2010 end in an arrest or, worse, death. Remember, whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk.”
These administrators each know that during the month of December 2009 that nationally 753 people were killed in crashes that involved a driver or motorcycle rider (operator) with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
In Bonner County, there were seven fatalities in 2009. Of those, only one involved a driver with a blood alcohol level more than 0.08. This is a decrease from 11 fatalities in 2008 that involved six drivers with blood alcohol content more than 0.08. This is due to the joint efforts of all law enforcement agencies and community members across Bonner County.
These law enforcement administrators recommend the following simple tips for a safe holiday season:
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin; Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• If you happen to see a drunken driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
• And remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
CHIEF R. MARK LOCKWOOD
Sandpoint Police Department
SHERIFF DARYL WHEELER
Bonner County Sheriff’s Office
CHIEF MICHAEL HUTTER
Ponderay Police Department
CHIEF RAY ROBERTS
Priest River Police Department
CAPT. CURTIS KASTENS
Idaho State Police Region 1