Law enforcement increases patrols for holiday season

The holiday season features a lot of traditions, but law enforcement officials say one thing that should not become a tradition is Montanans losing their lives because of impaired drivers.

“The holiday season should be a happy time for all Montanans,” said Bill Dial, Whitefish Chief of Police, “and it can be, as long as we are all responsible and make a plan for our travel. That includes never driving while impaired, wearing your seatbelt every time you get in your vehicle, and making sure all your passengers wear their seatbelts, too.”

This December, Whitefish law enforcement and Montana Highway Patrol will be out in force, watching for impaired driving, educating motorists, and handing out tickets or even making arrests when necessary; all part of their commitment to keeping our roads safe for everyone. It also supports the Montana Department of Transportation’s (MDT) Vision Zero program – zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways.

While Montana has made progress, the statistics are still grim: over the last 10 years 1,194 people have been killed and 3,012 have been seriously injured in vehicle crashes involving an impaired driver on Montana’s roadways.

Beyond the risk of injury or death, choosing to drive impaired in Montana has serious and costly consequences. It can result in receiving a DUI, having your license revoked, up to $10,000 in fines, and even jail time.

“Remember, it is never acceptable to drive while impaired,” Dial said. “There are no excuses and officers will not be making any exceptions. They will be enforcing the law – period.”

To help make safer holiday plans following these tips: Plan a safe ride home before the celebration by designating a sober driver and give that person your keys, expect your friends and family to have a sober driver and let them know it, provide safe transportation for your party guests, as well as non-alcoholic beverages, call 9-1-1 to report an impaired driver, and the best defense against a drunk driver is wearing a seatbelt – everyone, every trip, every time; there is no good excuse not to.

This is a Vision Zero message from the Montana Department of Transportation. This and other enforcement and educational campaigns are strategies to reach Vision Zero – zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways. For more information about Vision Zero, contact Janet Kenny, Montana Department of Transportation, 406-444-7417 or jakenny@mt.gov.