DUI emphasis patrols planned

SANDPOINT — The North Idaho DUI Task Force will make a final push against impaired driving during the holidays.

The impaired driving enforcement operation will occur between New Year’s Eve and Jan. 4, aimed at identifying and removing drunk drivers from North Idaho roadways, according to a news release. Law enforcement agencies from across the five northern counties will have additional officers on patrol throughout the enforcement period. 

Impaired driving continues to be a serious safety issue in North Idaho, especially for young people between the ages of 21 to 24 who’ve accounted for the greatest majority of fatalities in drunk driving crashes in 2024, based on preliminary crash statistics from OHS.

So far this year, 11 people have died as a result of impaired driving. 

“That means 11 families who’ll have to weather the holidays and march ahead into a new year without their loved one because someone made a choice to get behind a wheel when they shouldn’t have,” said Capt. Seth Green with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.