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Police agencies increasing traffic law
enforcement |
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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. |
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