As we near the beginning of 2025, the Idaho Transportation Department is asking the public to have a sober ride home.
BOISE, Idaho — 2024 will end in the next few days, and Idahoans across the state are making their New Year plans to celebrate entering the quarter century. However, officials ask that you also plan for a designated driver.
On Friday, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) said it is partnering with over 50 law enforcement departments across the state to keep drunk and impaired drivers off the road. The organization said if you decide to go out, “start 2025 safely by planning a sober ride home.”
“Celebrate the end of 2024 to the fullest, but make sure you have a sober ride home so you can start 2025 safely,” said Josephine Middleton, highway safety manager, in a news release. “Drunk and impaired driving remains a serious threat in Idaho. In 2023, 38% of all traffic fatalities in the state involved impaired drivers, resulting in 105 tragic deaths.”
ITD said while law enforcement is on the streets, every Idahoan can help prevent crashes.
The organization provided steps:
- Designate a sober driver or use a ride-share service.
- If you’re the designated driver, commit to staying alcohol-free.
- Step in if someone plans to drive impaired. Take their keys and help them find a safe way home.
- Buckle up! Seat belts increase your chances of surviving a crash by 50% and are your best protection against impaired drivers.
Weather is also top of mind in the Treasure Valley, KTVB’s meteorologists reported a potential for scattered snow showers entering the New Year.
- A Winter Weather Advisory is also in place for the Boise and West Central Mountains and the Camas Prairie that will last through 5pm Friday in those areas, as rounds of snow and blustery winds will lead to slippery roads and potentially some snow squalls, which could inhibit visibility at times through Friday afternoon. A more severe
- Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the central mountains around Sun Valley and Stanley through 5pm Friday for heavy snow that will likely make for difficult to near-impossible travel on higher mountain passes. Drivers are urged to avoid traveling through those area until the storm has passed. Total snow accumulations through Friday will range from 6-12″ in the mountain valleys and 12-18″ (or more) in the mountains above 6,000′.
