DUI patrols increase for St. Patrick’s Day
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | March 17, 2022 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Got the luck of the Irish?
Don’t push it.
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest days on the road — and area law enforcement agencies are working together to combat impaired drivers in North Idaho.
North Idaho DUI Task Force patrols will be on the streets from today through next weekend.
The task force includes officers, deputies and troopers with Idaho State Police and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Coeur d’Alene, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Post Falls and Hayden Police Departments.
“Don’t be the reason we have to go to someone’s home with the tragic news that their loved one was killed because of one bad decision,” said ISP Trooper Daniel Taylor.
During the 2015-2019 St. Patrick’s Day period, 280 people died in drunk-driving crashes.
DUI arrests can cost thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work and higher insurance rates.
Alcohol is part of many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Plan ahead to have a designated driver, use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft or call a friend or family member for a ride.
“It’s the safe, smart thing to do,” Taylor said.
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