Missoula Police Department officers will conduct DUI Saturation Patrols during the holidays, from Dec. 15 — Jan. 1. The goal is to reduce or eliminate impaired driving during the holiday season, with the ultimate goal of no DUI-related injury crashes.
The patrols will be conducted by both on-duty officers and officers hired with funds provided by the Montana State Highway Traffic Safety Office through its Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs (STEP) grants and by the Missoula County DUI Task Force. The Police Department will add at least 12 extra DUI patrol shifts.
The patrols will focus on the downtown bar area as well as house parties and complaints of driving under the influence received from callers to 911.
The Missoula Police Department wants everyone to enjoy the festivities and parties that accompany the holiday season but asks everyone to be safe and refrain from driving when their celebrations include alcoholic beverages.
Alternatives to driving include:
- Designated drivers
- Leave the car at home: take the bus or carpool and take a taxi home
- Home Free Missoula: Ask your server if the tavern you’re patronizing is a member. It is is, he or she will call a taxi for you, FREE
- Ucallus: This new nonprofit, started Oct. 1, offers free rides home for impaired people 24 hours a day. call 880-1673
- Operation Tipsy Tow: Montana AAA’s program provides a free and confidential ride home and a tow of the vehicle within a 10-mile radius of the pick-up between Dec. 16 and Jan. 1. The Missoula towing contractor is Red’s Towing: Call the Operation Tipsy Tow number at (800) AAA-HELP (222-4357)
- UDASH: The University of Montana’s late-night shuttle service won’t be operating during the holidays, when school is not in session. It will start up in January on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., circulating every half hour.
Please be safe out there Missoulians…and drink responsibly!