As the holiday season approaches, the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) is joining statewide efforts to reduce impaired driving and traffic-related crashes, County 17 reports.
The WHP will participate in the 2024 Holiday Season Impaired Driving Enforcement Detail and the CARE (Conscientious Drivers, Alcohol Reduction, and Enforcement) Life Saver Week DWUI Detail. These initiatives will run simultaneously from December 18, 2024, to January 1, 2025.
The holiday period typically sees an increase in travel as families and friends come together to celebrate. However, the challenging winter weather conditions in Wyoming, combined with the risks of impaired driving, create a dangerous environment for drivers. The WHP is focused on improving safety by targeting high-risk behaviors, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and failing to use seat belts.
So far this year, Wyoming has experienced 100 fatalities resulting from 96 fatal crashes. Data highlights the significant role impaired driving and seat belt non-compliance play in these tragic events:
- 83% of individuals who died in rollover crashes were not wearing seat belts.
- 31% of those who died in multi-vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts.
- 70% of Wyoming residents who died were not wearing seat belts.
- 47% of non-residents who died were not wearing seat belts.
- 23% of fatalities involved alcohol and/or drug impairment.
Colonel Tim Cameron of the Wyoming Highway Patrol emphasized the importance of these enforcement initiatives, stating:
“Our troopers will remain vigilant and proactively enforce traffic laws during this critical time. We will focus on violations that contribute to crashes, including impaired driving, seat belt non-compliance, and other high-risk behaviors. Together, we can save lives and ensure safer travel for everyone this holiday season.”
