2022 sees reduction in Idaho traffic fatalities, grants available to continue the trend

BOISE – Idaho saw a reduction in traffic fatalities in 2022. Last year, 219 people were killed in crashes on Idaho roads, according to preliminary data from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS). This is a 19 percent decrease from 271 deaths in 2021.

“It is nice to see progress, but 219 distinct tragedies show we still have a lot of work to do,” said OHS Manager Josephine Middleton. “These deaths have a profound impact on families, friends, and communities. We want to work with partners across the state to prevent future tragedies.”

OHS is accepting grant applications for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 (October 2023-September 2024). The goal is to eliminate deaths and serious injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes by helping fund traffic safety projects. Local governments, law enforcement, school districts, colleges, universities, and non-profits are all encouraged to apply. Examples of past grant projects include enhanced police patrols for impaired driving, Seat Check Saturday for child passenger safety, pedestrian and bike safety education, and more.

Grant proposals must focus on influencing positive driver behavior.

“We know most Idahoans want to do the right thing behind the wheel. It’s who we are,” said Middleton. “These grants are about empowering people by providing the knowledge and resources to make their communities safer places to walk, bike, and drive.”

Applications are open now and close on February 28, 2023. Virtual pre-application training is available on Wednesday, January 25, at 9 a.m. MST and Thursday, February 2, at 2 p.m. MST. Email OHSTraining@itd.idaho.gov to register.

Go to https://itd.idaho.gov/safety/?target=grant-programs-funding to learn more and apply for a grant.

Idaho Office of Highway Safety now accepting grant applications

Have an idea for a project that will help improve driver behavior in Idaho? Spread the word! The Idaho Office of Highway Safety is now accepting year-long grant applications for Federal Fiscal Year 2024.

Click here for the application and complete instructions, or visit itd.idaho.gov/safety.

Funding will be awarded to activities that address behaviors related to traffic safety including:

Impaired driving
Aggressive driving
Distracted driving
Occupant protection and seat belt use
Child passenger safety
Bicycle and pedestrian safety
Motorcycle safety
Youthful drivers
Traffic records

Projects selected will begin October 1, 2023 and end September 30, 2024. Applications must be submitted to OHS by Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

For more information about the Idaho Office of Highway Safety, visit shift-idaho.org.

Plan for a Sober Ride Home on New Year’s Eve

BOISE — As Idahoans prepare to ring in the New Year, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) reminds revelers to have a plan for a sober ride home.

This weekend, ITD’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and law enforcement agencies across Idaho will work together to keep Idahoans safe from drunk and impaired drivers. Law enforcement officers from more than 50 agencies will dedicate patrols to getting impaired drivers off the roads.

“Our goal is to help Idahoans start the New Year safely by reminding them to make a plan to get a safe ride home,” said Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton.

In 2021, 108 people were killed in crashes that involved an impaired driver in Idaho. This represents 40 percent of all traffic fatalities that year.

While law enforcement will be on heightened watch for drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, preventing crashes is a shared responsibility in our community.

“We want people to enjoy the holiday with family and friends, but we also want them around to enjoy all of 2023 as well,” Middleton said. “This is why it’s so important for everyone on the roads to do their part to put an end to impaired driving.”

Middleton offered the following tips for a safe New Year’s Eve:

Designate a sober driver or plan to use a ride service to get home safely.
Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously, and do not drink any alcohol. Your friends and family are counting on you.
If someone you know is about to drink and drive, take the keys away and help arrange a safe ride.
Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

Funding for extra patrols and overtime work focused on impaired driving enforcement is provided by a grant through the Idaho Office of Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Eight snowplows hit this season; ITD calls on drivers to be more cautious

Side-by-side images of a disabled plow on the side of the road.

So far this season across Idaho, drivers have caused eight crashes with snowplows. As more winter weather moves across the state, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) wants to remind drivers how to be safe around snowplows.

1. Never pass a plow on the right. Plows have a smaller wing plow that extends from the right side of the vehicle, which can be hard to see when the snow is flying. Drivers passing on the right and hitting the wing plow is the most common plow-related crash.
2. Give plows room to work and avoid their blind spots.
3. Be patient. The safest place to be is behind the plow.
4. Plows often work in tandem to clear multiple lanes. Never get in between the tandem plows.
5. If you are involved in a crash or stopped on the side of the road for any reason, please remain in your vehicle for your safety and for the safety of our plow operators.

The seventh and eighth crashes happened today in North Idaho, and both involved tandem plows. This morning on Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene, a driver got between two plows as they merged onto the highway. The driver then hit the brakes, forcing the second plow off the road to avoid a collision. Then around lunchtime on U.S. Highway 95 south of Athol, a driver passed the first plow on the left and then struck the second while trying to pass on the right.

Both plows are now out of service for the current storm.

“This issue affects everyone, not just the people involved in the crash. Every plow that is hit causes a domino effect making conditions worse,” said Operations Foreman Shannon Thornton. “There are fewer plows on the road to deal with the snow that is still falling, and our crews have to spend precious time recovering equipment instead of plowing.”

Last winter, there were 11 plow strikes, an increase from years past and a number that ITD does not want to repeat. Please be careful driving and mindful of our plows. Check 511.idaho.gov or the Idaho 511 App for road conditions before traveling. For more winter driving tips, visit itd.idaho.gov/travel.

*For real-time updates on plow strikes, visit ITD’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

The Dos and Don’ts of driving near snow plows

Plow clearing SH-6 near White Pine Campground

Snow has already fallen in the state, so drivers should get ready to drive with plows this winter. Talking about sharing the road with plows is really more of a discussion on what you shouldn’t do.

What shouldn’t you do?

Don’t pass. The road behind a plow is always better than the road in front of a plow. And all the snow, rock and other debris comes out of a plow at a high rate of speed––if you pass and try to drive through all that, the weight of the snow could force your vehicle off the road or break windows.

Of course, that’s assuming you don’t run into the plow while attempting to pass it.

Plows trucks weigh up to 58,000 pounds and sport not one, but two, plows. Everyone is familiar with the plow on the front, which is 12 feet long and takes up a whole lane. People tend to forget about the second, smaller plow positioned on the right side of the truck. It’s called a wing plow.

That’s the one folks run into. When plows are pushing snow, it comes up over the top of the plow and obscures all the lighting and flags. Again, plows weigh up to 14 times the average vehicle, so running into them is going to have an impact.

While not illegal to pass a plow, it’s recommended you never do so on the right side because of the wing plow. Law enforcement can and will cite drivers who act recklessly or carelessly and pass when it isn’t safe.

Operators will often work in pairs, especially on multi-lane roadways like freeways, to get snow pulled from the far left side all the way to the shoulder. Don’t try to pass several plows at once or drive between them.

Plows are large vehicles with blind spots, even when not working in blizzard conditions or pushing snow. Stay out of their blind spots.

If you’re going to pass, it’s important to consider where the snow is going. Our drivers typically push snow to the right, but in some cases, they will push snow into the median.

Sometimes there isn’t room to push snow into the median, or there aren’t enough operators available to tandem plow. You may see a plow working by itself on a freeway, pushing snow into the fast lane on the first lap and then moving it all the way off the roadway on a second pass. There may be enough room to pass safely on the right – but first slow down and observe where the snow coming out of the plow lands on the road before you make your decision.

When in doubt, don’t pass.

What should you do?

Drive for conditions. The posted speed limit is set based on ideal conditions, so in winter you’ll have to slow down. It’s on the driver to determine a safe speed.
Maintain at least a three-second following distance. On slick roads, you’ll need more time to react and stop if necessary.
Move over. Any time emergency vehicles—which include tow trucks—are flashing their lights, you are legally required to slow down and move over into another lane if possible.
Leave early. Giving yourself extra time will make it that much easier to make smart decisions.
Download 511. No need to guess what your route looks like – download the 511 app or visit 511.idaho.gov to see road conditions and if there are any reported crashes.

As you head out on the road this winter, keep these safety tips in mind so that you and our plow drivers can make it home safely.

How to get “Idaho Ready” for winter driving and holiday travel

Boise – With weather getting colder, and holidays on the horizon, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) wants to ensure that all drivers are “Idaho Ready” for winter driving conditions. “Idaho Ready” is ITD’s annual winter safety campaign. The goal is to equip drivers with information and advice so they can safely and confidently navigate Idaho’s roadways, regardless of the forecast.

On Thursday, ITD, Idaho State Police, and law enforcement agencies from several counties gathered for a news conference to drive home the importance of wearing seatbelts and driving to conditions this winter. Nearly 50 law enforcement and safety agencies will participate in extra patrols to keep our roadways safe. Funding for the patrols and overtime work focused on seat belt violations and impaired driving enforcement will be provided by a grant through ITD’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The enforcement campaign will run from November 17, 2022, through January 1, 2023. Click here to download soundbites, video, and a photo from the event.

Safety is ITD’s top priority when preparing for winter weather, both for drivers and for the ITD operators who maintain the roads every day. Across Idaho, hundreds of operators work around the clock to clear snow and keep Idaho’s 13,000 miles of highways safe. However, one of the biggest dangers for these operators is other drivers. Last winter, 11 people crashed into snowplows in Idaho. Most drivers tried to pass snowplows on the right and hit a deployed wing plow. Reminding motorists that the safest place to be when roads are snowy is behind the plow, is just one of the many topics ITD shares with the “Idaho Ready” campaign.

Here are a few more easy tips for winter driving:

Check the road conditions before traveling. Visit 511.idaho.gov, download the Idaho 511 app, or follow @Idaho511 on Twitter. 511 has weather reports, cameras, road closures, and more.
Keep a winter emergency kit in your car and prepare your car for winter driving by checking your windshield wiper fluid, battery, and tires.
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.
Let others know your travel plans, especially if you will be driving through areas with no cell service. Check in when you arrive.
Using a GPS? Review the route before you hit the road in case your GPS tries to take you on unfamiliar or unmaintained back roads.
Beware of drowsy driving! Stop and rest when needed, and plan breaks on long road trips. Rest areas are also mapped on Idaho 511
If your holiday celebrations include alcohol, plan for a sober ride home. Look out for your friends and family and help them get home safely too.
Buckle up, stay engaged behind the wheel, and drive for the conditions this winter.

Watch ITD’s social media channels and website for weekly winter driving tips and best practices:

Facebook- Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
Twitter- @IdahoITD
YouTube- Idaho Transportation Department
Website- itd.idaho.gov/travel
Idaho 511- 511.idaho.gov, or download the app.

Child Passenger Safety Week seat check events happening across Idaho

A nurse talks with a mother about child passenger safety while a young child sits in a car seat.

BOISE – The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) would like your support for Child Passenger Safety Week from Sept. 18-24, and National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 24.

In 2021, five children under the age of 7 were killed in crashes in Idaho. Four of those children were unrestrained. “It is so important for caregivers to be educated in car seat safety,” said OHS Child Passenger Safety Program Manager Tabitha Smith.

This week, Idaho has multiple dates and locations for parents and caregivers to check their car seats for proper installation. Certified Technicians will be on site:

Monday, Sept. 19

St. Mary’s Hospital, Cottonwood – Sept. 19, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Orofino City Park, Orofino – Sept. 20, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Fitness Building at Timbee Hall, Fort Hall – Sept. 21, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Syringa Hospital, Grangeville – Sept. 22, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital, Malad City – Sept. 22, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23

Bear Lake County Fire Station, Montpelier – Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kamiah Middle School, Kamiah – Sept. 23, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24

Pocatello Police Department, Pocatello – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Steele Memorial Medical Center, Salmon – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grease Monkey Channing Way, Idaho Falls – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thrive Pediatrics, Meridian – Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tomlinson South Meridian YMCA, Meridian – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Second Judicial District CASA, Lewiston – Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Con Paulos Chevrolet, Jerome – Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information about car seat safety is available at https://shift-idaho.org/child-passenger-safety/.

For questions, contact Carma McKinnon, Child Passenger Safety Statewide Coordinator, at (208) 742-1683 or carma@lemhicountyidaho.org.

Rest area on westbound I-84 near Bliss to close indefinitely starting Monday

On Monday (Sept. 12), the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will close the westbound Interstate 84 Bliss rest area until further notice due to a damaged waterline.

“We have been working to fix the line but have determined that more extensive repairs are needed,” ITD Maintenance Foreman Phil Etchart explained.

A timeframe for how long the rest area will be closed is not currently known.

“Our crews work hard to maintain rest areas for the benefit of travelers,” ITD Facility Manager Shawn Webb stated. “Our goal is to repair the line and reopen this location as soon as possible.”

The Bliss rest area facility located eastbound on I-84 will not be impacted and will remain open.

The statuses of rest areas can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov.

Paving begins next week in Bonners Ferry

Milled surface of US-95 about to be paved

Over the next two weeks, US-95 will be paved in Bonners Ferry and the first season of the construction project will be substantially complete between Alderson Lane and Eisenhower Street.

Daytime paving will happen Monday – Thursday (Sept. 12-15), with work focused primarily on the northbound lane as well as some paving on the southbound lane. Access to businesses will be temporarily blocked while paving happens near driveways. The construction team will try to minimize impacts as much as possible. Friday night (Sept. 16) crews will finish paving the center lane. Once paving is complete, workers will adjust the manholes, stripe the highway and open all lanes back up to traffic.

Some work will continue until October to finish landscaping and to replace temporary wood railing near the north end of the project with permanent railing. Through the fall and winter, utilities will continue moving their infrastructure to prepare for the second and final season of work on this project. Next year, work will improve Eisenhower Street to Labrosse Hill Street and is anticipated to take from March to October 2023 to complete.

This project is the next phase of work that originally began in 2018 to rebuild US-95 through town with a continuous center turn lane and pedestrian facilities on both sides. More information is available at

Nighttime repairs start again on US-95 Spokane River Bridge

US-95 where it crosses the Spokane River

Work has now been rescheduled to the following week. For the exact start date, drivers should refer to message signs placed on the highway closer to construction or 511.

Nighttime repairs will start again on the U.S. Highway 95 bridge over the Spokane River, with work beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Drivers heading downtown after 7 p.m. over the next two months should plan for congestion.

Last summer crews sealed the driving surface and began work on the railing. This fall crews will replace the railing as well expansion joints that allow the structure to expand and contract with the weather.

“Generally drivers should only have to contend with the shoulders being closed, but there will be a few weeks when the contractor is working on the joints that we’ll also close a lane,” ITD Project Manager Cole Mosman said.

Construction this year will be followed by a larger project in 2023 that will repair the concrete piers and paint the underside of the bridge.

Find live traffic impacts at 511.idaho.gov.