Police agencies increasing traffic law enforcement

July 19, 2014

Beginning July 18, state and local law enforcement are stepping up enforcement of traffic laws, specifically looking for aggressive and distracted drivers, in efforts to reduce traffic deaths through Idaho's deadliest traffic time of year. Idaho is halfway through its “100 Deadliest Days” of driving, and so far this year, 79 lives have already been lost on state roadways. Because of this disturbing trend, the Idaho Transportation Department is combining forces with state and local law enforcement to save lives through grant-funded enforcement targeting aggressive and distracted drivers beginning July 18.  Note that one form of distracted driving, texting while driving, is in violation of Idaho traffic statutes. “Idaho’s law enforcement agencies are focused on getting drivers to slow down, pay attention and buckle up,” said Josephine O’Connor with ITD. “By being responsible drivers, we can reach the goal of zero deaths on our roads.” The summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically see more crashes despite the fact that driving conditions are at their best. When a traffic crash occurs, it is usually the result of multiple things going wrong just before the crash. In single-vehicle fatal crashes, the top three mistakes drivers make are failing to maintain a lane, speeding or driving too fast for conditions and distractions. In fatal multiple-vehicle crashes the top three mistakes are inattention, following too close, and failing to yield. “A traffic crash took place in Idaho every 23.5 minutes in 2013, and 213 families lost a loved one who will never come home because of a mistake someone made when driving,” O’Connor said. But there is also some good news. Last year, five Idaho counties recorded no fatalities. They were Madison, Butte, Camas, Lewis and Teton counties. “Our goal is zero fatalities for every county in Idaho,” O’Connor said.