Category: Safety

BOISE— Are you “Idaho Ready” for winter driving? The Gem State is magical when it’s blanketed in snow, and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) wants to make sure everyone is prepared to enjoy it safely. Now is the time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for winter conditions.

“There is so much to love about Idaho in the snow, but drivers who want to get out there and enjoy it need to be careful,” said ITD Director Scott Stokes. “Giving driving your full and undivided attention combined with an extra measure of caution could be what keeps you from having irreversible regrets.”

Your safety is ITD’s top priority. When it snows, hundreds of ITD employees work around the clock to keep our more than 12,000 lane miles of highways safe for the traveling public. But plowed roads are only one part of a safe ride this winter. Here are some steps to ensure you are “Idaho Ready.”

• If you see a snowplow on the road, give it plenty of room to do its job. The safest place is behind the plow. Last winter, 17 people crashed into snowplows in Idaho.
• Make sure your car is ready for winter by checking your windshield wiper fluid, battery, and tires. Consider winter tires for extra traction. If you have tire chains, learn how to put them on before you need them.
• Create a winter car emergency kit, or if you have one from last winter make sure the supplies are in good condition.
• Download the Idaho 511 app or bookmark 511.idaho.gov so you can check road conditions before you drive.
• It’s going to take longer to get everywhere once the snow starts falling. Plan extra time for all your trips and be patient with your fellow drivers.
• When roads are wet or icy, slow down and give yourself more stopping distance. Turn off cruise control and remember, bridges and overpasses are the first to freeze when temperatures drop.
• If you do slide, stay calm, brake very gently, and turn your wheel in the direction of the skid. Try not to overcorrect.

For more winter safety driving tips visit itd.idaho.gov/travel/?target=idaho-ready.

BOISE- So far this year, more people have been killed in crashes on Idaho roads than in all of 2022. According to data from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS), 222* people have died in crashes on our roads so far in 2023, surpassing the 215 people killed last year.

“We often think about crashes as isolated incidents, but it adds up to a real crisis on our roads,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “The safest thing we can do for ourselves and our communities is to drive engaged. That means seatbelt on, free from distractions, and actively scanning the road ahead.”

Seat belts save lives. Seventy-four* of the people killed in crashes this year were not wearing seat belts. In a crash, seat belts increase your odds of survival by nearly 50 percent.

The most frequent type of fatal crash in Idaho is when a single vehicle leaves the roadway and crashes. Drivers involved in these crashes are often speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and/or driving impaired. So far this year, 67* people were killed in single motor vehicle crashes, and 18* were killed in single motorcycle crashes.

“We see this deadly pattern of speed, impairment, and no seatbelt over and over again,” explained OHS Impaired Driving Program Specialist Lisa Losness. “That’s why it’s so important to plan a sober ride home for yourself and call a ride for your friends if they try to drive after drinking.”

Of the deaths on Idaho roads this year*:

• 152 were in motor vehicles
• 37 were on motorcycles
• 25 were pedestrians
• Four were on bicycles
• Four were on some other type of vehicle (ATV, UTV, etc.)

The most common contributing factors in this year’s fatal crashes were (in no ranked order):

• Fail to maintain lane
• Speeding
• Alcohol/Drug impairment
• Fail to yield
• Inattention
• Distracted
• Drove left of the center line
• Fail to obey a stop sign or signal
• Overcorrecting
• Improper overtaking

*All 2023 data is preliminary and subject to change.

BOISE- Governor Brad Little has officially proclaimed October 21 to be Idaho Move Over Law Day. AAA, the Idaho State Police, and the Idaho Transportation Department are reminding drivers who approach a stationary tow truck or emergency vehicle to slow down below the speed limit and, if possible, move over one lane to protect workers at the roadside.

All 50 states have Move Over laws, but driver awareness is inconsistent.  According to previous research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 23% of drivers are not aware of the Move Over law in their state, while 30% did not completely understand the law.  Of those who are aware, 91% are very comfortable complying with the law.  Unfortunately, among those who do not comply with Move Over laws, nearly half felt that their behavior posed little or no danger to workers.

The Foundation also surveyed tow technicians, emergency responders, and road maintenance workers on their experiences with roadside jobs.  Of those surveyed, 60% had experienced a near miss from a passing vehicle, while a shocking 15% had survived being hit while working at the roadside.

Traffic safety partners across the Gem State are working to underscore the importance of this law.

Col. Kedrick Wills, Director of the Idaho State Police said, “The Move Over law protects those who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting our communities.  It isn’t just the law; it’s a moral duty.  When you see flashing lights on the side of the road, consider the lives behind them because it’s not just a vehicle; it’s someone who’s risking everything to keep us safe and get home to their family.  Slowing down and moving over is a simple act that can make all the difference in ensuring the safety of our first responders and highway workers.  Let’s do our part to keep them safe on our roads.”

ITD Chief Deputy Director and Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney said, “ITD employees and our contractor teams are often on the highway in construction or maintenance work zones, or for crash incident response to help drivers.  Let’s all be there for them by slowing down and moving over when you see flashing lights on the shoulder ahead.  A few seconds of courtesy saves lives and helps everyone get home safely.”

“According to some studies, working in the towing industry is up to 15 times more dangerous than all other private industries combined.  Sadly, on average, a tow truck driver is killed at the roadside every other week,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde.  “Tow truck operators and emergency personnel work hard to protect others.  We should return the favor.”

AAA’s Move Over for Me campaign calls attention to the devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities whenever an emergency responder is injured or killed at the roadside.  Drivers are encouraged to remain alert, avoid distractions, and watch out for emergency vehicles on the side of the road.  If you see one, please slow down and move over to give emergency responders more room to safely do their job.

In part, Governor Little’s proclamation reads, “Public awareness of Idaho’s ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ law is key to its successful implementation…all Idahoans share an appreciation for the dedicated service of emergency workers and are committed to their safety.”

BOISE- It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week! The week serves as an opportunity for parents and teens to talk about safe driving habits. This year during Teen Driver Safety Week and beyond the Idaho Transportation Department’s (ITD) Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is bringing a safe driving message to one of the most powerful young demographics- Swifties.

Idaho moviegoers to Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour will have the chance to catch a new T-Swift-themed public service announcement (PSA) before the show and matching signs in theater lobbies. The PSA features friendship bracelets that have become iconic among Swift fans and concertgoers. The bracelets say “Drive safe. Be here for all your eras.”

Watch the PSA.

“Teens are 2.5 times more likely to crash than any other age group, so it’s really important to find creative ways to reach them,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “We can also help teens become better drivers by modeling engaged driving behavior all the time. That means seat belt on, phone down, and driving the speed limit.”

Here are some things to keep in mind for teen drivers and parents alike:

• Developing brains: Teens’ brains are still growing, which means they have a harder time assessing risk than adults. In Idaho, some of the top contributing crash factors for teens are speeding, following too close, inattention, distracted driving and impaired driving.
• Developing skills: Learning to drive doesn’t end when you pass your driver’s test. It is a set of skills that will continue to grow your whole life. Failing to yield or obey stop signs, improper lane change, improper turns and improper backing are just some of the skill issues involved in teen crashes in Idaho.

More resources to help talk to teens about safe driving, including a safety pledge, are available at shift-idaho.org/teen-driving/.

BOISE–A car seat is the most important seat a child will ever sit in. National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 17- 23) is right around the corner and a great time to make sure your child’s car seat fits. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has partnered with organizations around the state for Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Last year in Idaho there were 1,943 crashes involving a child passenger between 0-6 years old. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes are the leading cause of death for children in the United States.

“We all want to protect our kids as best we can, but car seats can be complicated even for experienced parents or caregivers,” said Carma McKinnon, State Child Passenger Safety Coordinator. “Seat Check Saturday is an opportunity to get free help from an expert, to ensure our little ones are as safe as possible.”

At these seat check events, certified child passenger safety technicians will check if a car seat is the right type for a child’s age and size, check that it fits correctly, and that it is properly installed in the vehicle.

Across Idaho, there are many free seat check events coming up on Seat Check Saturday and beyond:

For more information about child passenger safety and a map of year-round seat check locations visit https://shift-idaho.org/child-passenger-safety/.