SANDPOINT — Safe and sober rides are the goals of a North Idaho task force targeting impaired driving this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

The Sandpoint Police Department, along with other local law enforcement agencies, are working with the Idaho Transportation Department to increase patrols and discourage impaired driving, Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon said. These extra measures will be taken March 14-18. 

“Nationally, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on the road,” Coon said in a statement from SPD. “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 272 people were killed in drunken driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period between 2017 and 2021.”

To combat some of those numbers, Watkins Distributing, a regional alcohol distribution company in Hayden, has teamed up with the task force to emphasize safety and responsibility by sponsoring a $10 discount for Uber fares throughout the holiday weekend, ITD officials said in a press release. 

While Coon said law enforcement officers are always vigilant in their pursuit of impaired drivers, preventing dangerous drivers from causing accidents requires a collective effort by the entire community.

“If you notice a friend attempting to drive while under the influence, it is important to intervene and take away their keys,” he said. “On your turn as the designated driver, it is crucial to abstain from drinking and take that responsibility seriously. Ensure a safe ride home for yourself, your friends, and your family by planning ahead and assigning a sober driver.”

ITD officials recommend considering safe transportation options including ride-share companies, taxis, designated drivers and walking to your destination. Leaving your vehicle for the night and picking it up the next morning is also a safer alternative.

“This St. Paddy’s Day, wear your green, and save some too by choosing a sober ride,” ITD officials said. 

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