December 11th, 2019 through January 1st, 2020, the Meridian Police Department will increase patrols to stop impaired drivers in our community. As part of the nationwide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, Meridian Police Department is partnering with the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get impaired drivers off the roads and help keep Meridian safe. During last year’s state-wide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday mobilization, 49 agencies participated, arresting 118 drivers who had blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) over the legal limit of .08.
This multi-agency mobilization is a cooperative effort with a mission to send a clear message that the holidays are a time for celebration with family and friends, but driving drunk is never a good or safe choice.
In 2018 there were 35 impaired crashes in the City of Meridian, which lead to 3 fatalities. In addition, the Meridian Police Department arrested 348 drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol in 2018. This is an area of focus as our officers patrol the city. During the holidays, and every day, remember that drunk driving is not only illegal but deadly.
Additional safety tips for Meridian residents:
Remember it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had one alcoholic beverage.
Be prepared with a plan, before you start drinking. Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement by calling 911.
If you see a family member or friend about to drive after drinking, take the keys away and make arrangements to get them home safely.
