BOISE, Idaho — With a rise in impaired driving in the Treasure Valley, multiple law enforcement agencies have come together to form the Treasure Valley DUI Task Force, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
"This task force represents a community-wide commitment to preventing impaired driving," Idaho State Police Sergeant Brandon Rowley said. "By pooling our resources, increasing patrols, and focusing on education, we aim to make a tangible difference to save and change lives."
According to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), the Treasure Valley has seen a 26% increase in alcohol-related impaired driving and a 53% increase in impaired driving fatalities since 2019.
In response, Garden City Police, Boise Police, Ada County Sheriff's Office, Idaho State Police, Caldwell Police, Nampa Police, Canyon County Sheriff's Office, and Meridian Police are taking a unified approach to reduce fatalities and crashes through education and community engagement.
Also since 2019, 42% of all fatal crashes in the Treasure Valley have been related to impaired driving or DUI's, ITD said. Furthermore, drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 account for the highest number of impaired driver crashes. The next closest group is ages 25-30.
"A big part of our outreach will be through education and events specifically targeting these age groups," Rowley said. "We want to connect with them in a way that makes a lasting impact and helps reduce these tragedies."
This is Idaho's second DUI task force, as northern Idaho has operated one for the past five years.
There will be an increase in DUI patrols across all the participating jurisdictions on Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26.