Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Montana Law Enforcement Is Planning Increased Patrols In Valley County and Glasgow Over The Holiday Weekend
As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Glasgow Police Department, Valley County DUI Task Force, and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are encouraging Montanans to plan a sober ride home before they celebrate. The Fourth is one of the deadliest holidays in Montana, so law enforcement will be increasing patrols across the state and making DUI arrests to ensure every Montanan gets home safely. MHP and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) are committed to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Montana’s roadways.
State law is that if drivers have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher, they could receive a DUI charge and other serious consequences, including having their driver’s license revoked, being required to take mandatory classes, and receiving possible jail time and up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees.
“If you’re celebrating this weekend or on the Fourth, be sure to make a plan for a safe ride home,” said Undersheriff Chris Richter, Valley County Sheriff’s Office. “The important thing to know is how you will get home before you go out. Designate one of your friends as a sober driver, arrange for a ride share service, cab, or public transportation, or call a friend or family member. If you see your friends or family have had too much to drink, look out for your community’s safety and make sure they have a sober ride home, too.”
Why is law enforcement on high alert during the holiday weekend? These are Montana’s sobering statistics:
Montana has the highest fatality rates in the nation for the number of deaths caused by impaired drivers per vehicle mile traveled
The state has the highest share of alcohol-related traffic deaths at 45 percent (2021)
63 percent of all traffic fatalities in Montana are the result of impaired driving (2021)
1,268 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver from 2012-2021
“By making a plan before you go out, you’ll help keep our roads safer for everyone and protect your community,” said Undersheriff Richter. “Make sure you celebrate responsibly as you gather with friends and family on the Fourth. Together we can keep our community safe.”
Montana Department of Transportation — Vision Zero
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, at 406-444-7417 or [email protected].
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