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.