Montana Highway Patrol To Have Heavy Presence Around Testy Fest at Rock Creek

It's that time of year again, for the annual Testy-Festy at the Rock Creek Campground just off I-90 east of Missoula, and the Montana Highway Patrol is ready.

Captain Jim Kitchen said on Tuesday, that plans are already in place to treat visitors to the annual festival to a very visual presence of law enforcement personnel around the area.

"We're hoping everyone goes out there and has a good time, but doesn't drink and drive," Kitchen said. "We're asking people to wear a seat belt, use the transportation that's provided, and basically stay out of trouble. We have some additional troopers coming into town, the Safety Enforcement Squad will be here as well as the K-9 Unit and another trooper from out of the area, along with the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. We're going to be saturating that area, making sure that everybody drives safe."

Kitchen said it's important for out of state visitors to the festival to know that Montana has a no-tolerance policy for drinking and driving.

"We have a zero-tolerance for any DUI, and alcohol or drug related impairment when you're operating a motor vehicle," he said. "You will be processed, you will go to jail. There's no tolerance because there's no excuse for doing it when there's transportation available, and you ought to be thinking about everybody else that's traveling on that highway, too, and not just yourself."

Kitchen also asks drivers to avoid the area around the Roaring Lion Fire south of Hamilton, since there are so many emergency and firefighting vehicles in the area.