DUI Task Force Sets Goals For County
Roosevelt County’s DUI Task Force work plan was officially approved by county commissioners during a meeting last week.
DUI Task Force coordinator A.J. Allen explained that by state law the plan needs to be approved so that Roosevelt County can continue to receive reinstatement fees.
Commissioner Gordon Oelkers thanked Allen for the education that he provides throughout the county.
The mission of the task force includes reducing alcohol and drug related motor vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths in the county. Efforts include education regarding alcohol/drug consequences, promotion of healthy choices and community involvement.
The report shows that Montana remains one of the nation’s top states for crash impaired fatalities. There were 239 total fatality crashes in 2021, 215 fatalities in 2022 and 208 fatalities in 2023. Of that total number, 102 were from alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 70 in 2022 and 71 in 2023.
The Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office conducted 169 impaired driving related stops in 2024 compared to 266 impaired driving related stops in 2023. The report notes that the figures might be lower in 2024 because the sheriff’s office assisted the Wolf Point Police Department with patrols due to the department’s staffing shortage. Local highway patrol made 219 traffic related stops, according to the highway patrol’s live tracker. A total of 195 stops were general traffic stops and 24 stops involved injury or fatalities.
The report states that Native American fatalities continue to be a challenge in the state. During the last 10 years, these fatalities have represented almost 19 percent of all crash fatalities while only comprising approximately 6.2 percent of the state’s population. The report notes that progress has been made in attempts to reduce alcohol-related crashes in the county. There has been a decline in DUI citations since 2015.
Based on 2023 data, 32 percent of Roosevelt County high school age youth reported having their first drink between the ages of 13-16. From the same data source, 38 percent of Roosevelt County high school students and 23 percent of middle school students reported trying marijuana.
The Roosevelt County DUI Task Force will collaborate with the Northern Tribes DUI Task Force to promote safe driving habits among teens including the importance of wearing seat belts.
Challenges listed for the DUI Task Force include DUI offenders, minors and underage in possession of alcohol, illegal alcohol sales and occupant safety and restraint issues.
The task force plans to continue an education/ awareness/media advocacy campaign to help reach its goals.
