|
|
Aggressive driving the target in August
|
|
July 31, 2012 |
Live longer by avoiding your car on
Fridays, especially between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.,
since that’s the time and day of the week when
one is most likely to be involved in a fatal or
serious injury crash caused by aggressive
driving, according to Idaho Transportation
Department (ITD) statistics.
Speeding, failure to yield, following too close,
and disregarding traffic signals are all
aggressive driving behaviors.
That’s why Idaho law enforcement will partner
with ITD to target aggressive drivers and
motorcycle riders on Idaho’s roads August 1-13.
“By taking a one-team approach to target
aggressive driving across Idaho, we can reduce
deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” said
Col. G. Jerry Russell, director of Idaho State
Police (ISP).
Despite progress in nearly every other area of
highway safety, speeding continues to be a
factor in approximately one-third of traffic
deaths every year across the nation. In Idaho,
that number is even higher. The Gem State has a
higher rate of crashes involving aggressive
driving than the national average. Aggressive
driving was a contributing factor in nearly half
of all crashes in the state in 2011, according
to ITD crash data.
“One of the greatest risks to our health and
safety occurs when we travel by car or
motorcycle,” said Josephine O’Connor from ITD’s
Office of Highway Safety. “More Idahoans aged
four to 44 years are killed each year as a
result of traffic crashes than by natural
causes.”
Aggressive driving patrols focus on popular
routes like Idaho 55 between Boise and McCall,
and Idaho 21 in the Stanley and Banks-Lowman
area. Recent patrols of that area by ISP and the
Boise Police Department resulted in 194
citations written to drivers and motorcycle
riders. The most frequent citations were for
speeding, having no insurance, drug possession
or use and seat belt violations.
“One of the troopers working the patrols had six
drug-related citations during one shift,”
explained Capt. Steve Richardson with ISP's
Region 3.
“Law enforcement is not just writing tickets for
bad driving behavior. Law enforcement agencies
across the state are partnering to target
aggressive drivers and motorcycle riders to make
our roads safer for Idahoans who want to arrive
home safe to their families,” said Chief Michael
Masterson with Boise Police Department.
Partnering law enforcement agencies include:
Bonner County Sheriff's Office (CSO), Bonners
Ferry Police Department (PD), Coeur d'Alene PD,
Kootenai CSO, Post Falls PD, Rathdrum PD,
Sandpoint PD, Lewiston PD, Moscow PD, Nez Perce
CSO, Orofino PD, Boise CSO, Boise PD, Canyon CSO,
Fruitland PD, Kuna PD, Meridian PD, McCall PD,
Nampa PD, Payette PD, Valley CSO, Wilder PD,
Bellevue Marshalls Office, Gooding PD, Hailey PD,
Jerome CSO, Jerome PD, Lincoln CSO, Rupert PD,
Twin Falls PD, Twin Falls CSO, Bannock CSO,
Bingham CSO, Montpelier PD, Pocatello PD,
Shelley PD, Soda Springs PD, Bonneville CSO,
Clark CSO, Fremont CSO, Idaho Falls PD, Iona PD,
Jefferson CSO, Madison CSO, Rexburg PD, Rigby PD,
Teton CSO, Ucon PD, and Idaho State Police.
The enforcement efforts will be accompanied by a
statewide “Stop Speeding Before It Stops You”
media campaign.
For more information about aggressive driving
patrols, contact local law enforcement agencies
or the ITD Highway Safety Office at (208)
334-8100. |
|
|
|
|
