Idaho urges sober rides for safe Labor Day as ‘100 Deadliest Days’ conclude

BOISE—As Idaho approaches the end of the 100 Deadliest Days, drivers should remember to include a sober ride home in their Labor Day plans. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has partnered with Idaho State Police (ISP) and more than 50 other law enforcement agencies for enhanced DUI patrols this coming holiday weekend. Expect to see more officers on the roads to stop impaired drivers before they cause harm.

“As law enforcement professionals, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of our communities. The act of impaired driving not only defies the principles we uphold but also endangers the lives we’ve sworn to protect,” said Colonel Kedrick Wills of the Idaho State Police. “This Labor Day weekend, let us all unite in our commitment to safety by making responsible choices. Through intensified patrol and advanced expertise, we are committed to creating an environment free from the dangers of impaired driving.”

According to data gathered by OHS, 110 people were killed as a result of impaired driving crashes last year. That represents more than half of all fatalities in 2022.

Labor Day marks the end of the 100 Deadliest Days, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. This year to date 164 people have been killed in crashes on Idaho roads, 89 of those fatalities happened during the 100 Deadliest Days.

Sadly 2023 has been deadlier than 2022 so far. This time last year there were 133 fatalities on Idaho roads, versus 164 this year.

“It’s a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving,” explained Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “We can help to keep ourselves and others safe by driving engaged, putting down the distractions, driving sober, and always wearing our seatbelts.”

Paving begins next week for the US-95 McArthur Lake project

Starting Monday morning, August 28^th, the Idaho Transportation Department will begin paving a temporary adjacent road, also known as a shoo-fly, as part of ongoing construction for the US95 McArthur Lake project. Paving is expected to last two days, during which time the highway will be reduced to 1 lane in alternating shifts to allow crews to work. Flaggers may also be utilized to assist with traffic flow. Drivers should expect delays throughout daytime commuting hours.

It is anticipated that traffic will shift over to this new section of paved roadway in mid-September to accommodate final construction on the future bridge. The projected final completion date for this project is Fall of 2024.

Motorists should exercise caution while traveling through work zones. Those wishing to receive email updates about the US-95 McArthur lake project can sign up here. Drivers can also check or download the Idaho 511 app for the latest traffic conditions on all state roadways.

Idaho Authorities Join Forces for Safer Roads: Intensified DUI Patrols Planned as Labor Day Nears

BOISE—Labor Day is fast approaching, and summer is winding down. As Idahoans celebrate the end of the summer expect to see more police officers on the roads looking for impaired drivers. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is partnering with over 50 law enforcement agencies across the state to step up DUI patrols from August 18 through Labor Day.

“As Idahoans, we want to do the right thing and keep each other safe,” explained Impaired Driving Program Specialist Lisa Losness. “We all know drinking and driving can have deadly consequences and so we hope everyone makes a plan for a sober ride home and the police don’t have to intervene.”

According to data gathered by OHS, 39% of all fatal crashes in Idaho are impaired driver related.

Labor Day also marks the end of the 100 Deadliest Days, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. This year to date 152* people have been killed in crashes on Idaho roads, 77* of those fatalities happened during the 100 Deadliest Days.

“If you are planning a Labor Day celebration or an end-of-summer road trip, include a safe and sober ride home in your plans, buckle up, and end this summer with great memories,” said Losness.

*Preliminary data

Paving begins next week at SH-53 and Ramsey Road

half-paved intersection at SH-53 and Ramsey Road

Starting Tuesday the Idaho Transportation Department will begin paving at the intersection of State Highway 53 and Ramsey Road as part of ongoing construction to add turning and through lanes.

Paving is expected to last up to three days. The highway will remain reduced to one lane in alternating shifts to allow traffic flow during construction. During this time flaggers may be utilized to assist with traffic flow. Drivers accessing SH-53 from Ramsey Road should expect longer delays than normal, but delays for traffic already on SH-53 should be minimal.

Once paving is complete, crews will adjust timing for the temporary signal to reduce delays. One lane on SH-53 will continue to be closed through the intersection until the permanent signal is installed in October.

For updates on traffic impacts on state highways and interstates, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling.

“Do the math. Save a life.” New math program teaches safe driving and data science

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Idaho Department of Education, Idaho STEM Action Center, and Horizon Credit Union have teamed up on new math resources for Algebra 1 students. A coalition of math educators from across Idaho developed a series of lessons, called “Do the math. Save a life,” that use Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) crash data to teach Algebra and data analysis skills.

“So much data is thrown out in the world these days, and it’s important to empower students to be critical consumers of data. Being able to understand and interpret data and statistics is an essential skill for modern society,” explained Josie Derrick, Lead Math Innovator at One Stone and part of the team that created the lessons. “By providing students with opportunities to use math as a tool to think critically and engage in discussions where there may not be a “right” answer, we build skills for students to become more engaged citizens in the future.”

OHS collects data on all crashes that happen on Idaho roads and displays it on publicly available dashboards. The new math program uses that data to provide examples of math in real life and teaches students lessons like scatter plots, frequency tables, and analyzing claims.

“We are all more curious about what’s happening in our own communities,” said Erin Corwine, part of the team that created the lessons and K-8 Mathematics Instructional Specialist at the Developing Mathematical Thinking Institute, Idaho. “Because the dataset is specific to Idaho, students can interact with data points unique to their counties, and in some cases, even specific intersections, so there’s relevance in the learning.”

OHS data shows Idaho teens are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than other age groups.

“Not only are these lessons teaching them math, but they are also teaching teens about the dangers of distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “We want them to understand the risks to they can make safe choices once they start learning how to drive.”

Horizon Credit Union provided financial support for the creation of the math lessons.

The “Do the math. Save a life” program will be presented to math teachers from around the state at the Imagine the Places You’ll Go STEM Conference on August 3 and 4 in Boise. Part of the conference will include a field trip to see the mathematics that ITD employees use in their jobs. Boise Police will conduct an actual car crash demonstration and will be available to discuss the science behind crash investigations. Members of the media are welcome to observe the field trip on August 4 from 1-3:30 pm at the ITD Annex, 3293 W Jordan St, Boise, ID 83703.

Educators who want to review and use the new lessons can download materials from https://shift-idaho.org/do-the-math/.

As fatalities on Idaho roads climb, police will ramp up enforcement efforts now through July 30

Fifteen people have been killed in crashes on Idaho roads in the last 10 days, at the mid-point of the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS), Idaho State Police, and over 50 law enforcement partners across Idaho are joining forces to educate drivers and stop aggressive driving. Now through July 30, expect to see more officers on the road looking for speeding, tailgating, and other aggressive driving behaviors.

So far this year 121* people have been killed on Idaho roads. Forty-five* of those fatalities happened during the 100 Deadliest Days, which is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. Last year 39 percent of all fatal crashes involved some form of aggressive driving behavior.

“We all want to make it home and most Idahoans make safe choices that protect themselves and others,” explained Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “It’s important that we recognize and stop the behaviors that put people at risk.”

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to hazards and increases the risk of crashes and injuries. It also makes it harder to maneuver around obstacles or curves and increases stopping distance. Other vehicles and pedestrians may misjudge distances when a car is speeding towards them.

“The effects of speeding are deadly,” said Middleton, “and with more drivers out and about during the summer the danger goes up for everyone on the roads.”

Examples of aggressive driving include:

Speeding
Tailgating
Driving too fast for conditions
Cutting in front of another driver and then slowing down
Failing to stop for red lights or stop signs
Failure to yield
Weaving in and out of traffic
Changing lanes without signaling
Blocking cars that are attempting to change lanes
Passing a vehicle on the wrong side of the road or on the shoulder
Screaming, honking, or flashing lights
Making hand gestures or facial expressions at other drivers

*Preliminary data

ITD winter maintenance efforts earn another national honor

An entry titled “ITD Goes Above and Beyond to Keep Idaho Roads Safe” recently won an APEX Award of Excellence – the second national award recognizing the department’s outstanding winter road-clearing efforts. ITD’s winter efforts also earned a Community Service award a few months ago.

“We appreciate that our Idaho Transportation Department teams are nationally recognized for the best daily customer service and also our public service readiness 24/7 in teamwork during storms with highway partners like ISP for local community safety success,” said ITD Chief Deputy/Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney (pictured below).

The winning APEX entry highlighted some of the outstanding work by ITD crews in the recent past. It focused on the above-and-beyond efforts of employees across the state, chronicling the incredible efforts every day by more than 500 workers to keep our roads and bridges clear and open.

“The competition was particularly intense this year,” said Ken Turturo of APEX and Communications Concepts. “There were quite a few entries exhibiting very high-quality work that did not receive an award. The fact that you won should not be taken lightly.”

ITD tracked nearly 7,860 storms this past winter season, about 3,350 more than the previous winter. But despite a more challenging winter, crews kept the state’s roads clear and passable during the storm 80 percent of the time.

Fourth of July plans? Don’t forget to include a sober ride home

BOISE – As Idahoans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and partners across the state encourage everyone to include a sober ride home in their holiday plans.

ITD’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has partnered with law enforcement agencies across Idaho to devote extra resources to stopping impaired drivers around the Fourth of July. More police will be on patrol from June 30 through July 9.

“When you are making your holiday plans, they should include a sober ride home whether that’s a cab, rideshare, designated driver, or celebrating in a place where you don’t need to drive,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “Always have a plan before you start drinking. If you wait until after you may be too impaired to make the safe choice.”

Idaho is also in the middle of the 100 Deadliest Days, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Idaho sees a spike in fatal and serious injury crashes. In the last 31 days, at least 19* people have been killed in crashes on Idaho roads. In the summertime, people are off from school or work, enjoying vacations, engaging in recreational activities, and celebrating. Unfortunately, these social factors result in an increase in distracted driving, aggressive driving, and impaired driving, which makes the roads riskier for everyone, including those who are driving safely and responsibly.

For the Fourth of July and the rest of the summer remember these safe driving tips:

Always wear a seat belt. Seat belts increase your chance of surviving a crash by 50 percent.
Put away the distractions and drive engaged.
Never drink and drive. If you have a friend who is about to drive drunk, be courageous, take away their keys and help them get home safely.
Drive the speed limit, or slower if conditions are bad.
On two-lane roads, if there are more than three cars behind you, pull over in a safe place to let them pass.

*Preliminary Data

Summer flagging schedule for SH-55 & Banks-Lowman Road

Warm weather and increased recreational travel to Idaho’s mountain destinations, especially on Sundays, has resulted in longer-than-usual waits at the busy State Highway 55 and Banks-Lowman Road intersection in Banks. Flagging will begin this holiday weekend to reduce wait times.

ITD will flag traffic on the weekends and holidays expected to have the highest number of travelers due to local events.

Father’s Day
First Sunday in July
Independence Day
Second Sunday in July
Third Sunday in July
Fourth Sunday in July
Fifth Sunday in July
First Sunday in August
Second Sunday in August
Labor Day

These weekends were selected in cooperation with a working group involving Boise and Valley County community members.

Drivers should plan ahead for any road trip by checking 511.idaho.gov for the latest road conditions, and itdprojects.org for road construction work happening across the state. ITD asks drivers to please do your part to keep roads safe and prevent crashes. Slow down, drive engaged, and always buckle up.

Idaho Transportation, Lands Officials Look to the Past to Help Prevent Roadside Wildfires in the Future

BOISE – Before hitting the road for weekend or holiday adventures, officials from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) want Idahoans and Gem State visitors to make sure the safety chains attached to their trailers won’t drag and spark fires, and that tires are road worthy so they don’t blow out.

“Flat tires on vehicles and trailers pose wildfire risks when metal rims scrape along asphalt, throwing sparks into roadside fuels like dry grass”, said ITD director Scott Stokes. “Before heading out, check your tire pressure and look for damage or wear that could lead to tire failure.”

Idaho has seen catastrophic wildfires from a flat tire in the past, something state officials hope to avoid in the future. In 1992 a negligent motorist drove for miles with a flat tire on the car he was towing behind his motorhome. It started a 6,258 acre fire along Highway 55 near Banks, ID, with the driver receiving a $1.3 million bill for the cost of fighting the blaze.

Dragging trailer chains are also dangerous, they can start multiple fires along stretches of roads and highways.

A vehicle dragging a chain threw sparks into the dry grasses along I-84 near Jerome in 2019 burning more than 350 acres and impeding traffic on the freeway.

“We all want to do the right thing, and double-checking your safety chains takes less than a minute,” said Stokes.

When connecting trailer safety chains, crisscross the chains so they won’t drag on the road. Crisscrossing provides the added benefit that if the ball hitch does come loose, the trailer is cradled in the chains keeping it behind your vehicle, away from oncoming traffic.

Preventing a human cause wildfire also means being aware of your surroundings when you stop along a roadway or park to recreate.

“Parking on dry grass can also start wildfires and should always be avoided,” added IDL director Dustin Miller. “Your vehicle’s exhaust system is hot enough to spark a fire.”

In 2017 a farmer near Star, ID, lost five acres of wheat to a preventable fire caused by the hot exhaust pipe on a truck.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were 61,429 human-caused wildfires across the nation in 2022.

“Wildfires caused by humans are 100% preventable if people would just change their behaviors and use caution and common sense,” Miller added.

It’s not just damage to the land people love, there can be severe financial consequences for negligently starting a wildfire in Idaho. Idaho law directs IDL to investigate wildfires on land it protects. Those deemed negligently responsible for starting fires face paying for suppression costs and economic damages.

According to Miller, the costs can run into the millions. “Because Idaho’s taxpayers pay for wildfire suppression, we aggressively seek to recover as much as possible from those found negligent.”

For more information about preventing wildfires and highway safety, visit www.idl.idaho.gov/prevention and www.itd.idaho.gov/safety.