An Nov. 19 Press news brief featured the Kootenai County Sheriff Department's Thanksgiving week impaired driving emphasis. MADD Idaho supports law enforcement efforts to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roads. Too many North Idaho residents are victims of impaired driving crashes. North Idaho's 10 counties had 437 impaired driving crashes, 333 injuries and 21 deaths in 2010.

Winter driving conditions and holiday celebrations often lead to increased impaired driving and impaired driving crashes. November marks the fifth anniversary of MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. The Campaign's three components are: (1). Support high visibility law enforcement to catch impaired drivers and discourage others from driving impaired. (2). Require all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlock breathalyzers. Ignition interlocks require DUI offenders to prove they're sober before their cars will start. (3). Make cars the cure by developing automatic passive alcohol detection devices for new cars to prevent cars from operating by detecting drivers at or above the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol content (BAC).

MADD's 5th Anniversary Report to the Nation rates Idaho at 3 out of 5 stars on implementation of proven drunk 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. Access the full report at http://www.madd.org/blog/report-to-the-nation.html.

To help further MADD Idaho's efforts to eliminate drunk 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

Hayden