Slow Down, Move Over, Save a Life: AAA, ISP, ITD spotlight “Move Over” law

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.”

Plow conversion begins as ITD prepares for winter

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is busy preparing for the upcoming winter by converting their trucks back into snowplows.

In higher elevations snowplow conversions will be completed by the first week of November. In Boise the plows are typically ready to go by the end of November. The conversion process can take up to four hours per truck.

ITD’s trucks serve a purpose all year long. During the summer they are used as dump trucks, and during the winter they are plows. Once the fleet is completely changed over, there will be 86 snowplows working the roads throughout Southwest Idaho.

As ITD makes sure their trucks are in good working order for the onset of winter, ITD reminds all drivers to check their tires and have their vehicles serviced before weather conditions change.

ITD reaches out to Swifties with safe driving PSA

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/.

IDPR and DMV Unveil Durable 2024 RV Registration Stickers, Saving Taxpayers $65,000 Annually

BOISE- The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) have created new and improved Recreational Vehicles (RV) registration stickers using a familiar material. The new stickers will be available starting this month for all 2024 RV registration renewals.

The DMV and IDPR work together to register recreational vehicles—like boats, OHVS, and snowmobiles—across the state. This program provides its user groups with trail grooming and maintenance, access, safety education classes, and more. However, the 2023 sticker print came with an issue: the stickers were quickly peeling and fading when exposed to the elements. This was less than ideal for customers and the agencies worked together to find a solution.

“As state agencies, we are dedicated to serving the public in the best, most efficient ways possible,” shared Chelsea Chambers, Public Information Specialist at IDPR. “We heard the feedback from our customers and, under the guidance of the DMV, quickly pivoted to find both a temporary workaround and a long-term fix to this problem.”

The solution was to print RV stickers on the same decal paper that the DMV uses for vehicle registrations. The print-on-demand decal paper is a tried and tested product, used on millions of license plates across the state. If the RV owner also purchases an Idaho State Parks Passport, that sticker will be printed on the same page as the RV sticker, reducing waste.

“The DMV and IDPR came together to collaborate and problem solve,” said DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “Now we have a solid solution for our customers and are saving taxpayer money in the process.”

In all, this change is expected to save taxpayers more than $65,000 annually.

Customers interested in renewing their RV registration for 2024 can go online to DMV.idaho.gov or visit any county DMV office.

Nighttime I-84 closures will begin Sunday (Oct. 15) in Nampa for SH-16 construction

The Idaho Transportation Department advises motorists to plan ahead for nighttime Interstate 84 closures starting this Sunday (Oct. 15) between the Garrity (Exit 38) and Ten Mile (Exit 42) interchanges. Crews are preparing the interstate for the next stage of construction at the future State Highway 16/I-84 interchange.

A full westbound closure and several nights of multiple lane closures on westbound I-84 will take place in the following weeks.

Oct. 15:

Westbound I-84 will be closed between Garrity (Exit 38) and Ten Mile (Exit 42) interchanges from 10 p.m. (Oct. 15) to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 16). Motorists will be detoured to Franklin Road. View the detour map.

Oct. 11-24:

Two of four lanes on westbound I-84 will close beginning Wednesday (Oct. 11) between the Garrity (Exit 38) and Ten Mile (Exit 42) interchanges. Work will occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph at night.

Eastbound I-84 closures will be scheduled later this month.

During the closures, crews will shift and re-stripe the I-84 travel lanes away from the center median. The shift will make room to build a center pier supporting the new I-84/SH-16 interchange. All work is weather dependent as striping can be less effective during cold nighttime temperatures. To request updates text HIGHWAY16 to 1-866-483-8422.

ITD wants to remind you to slow down, pay attention and drive engaged.

For more information about the State Highway 16 project visit itdprojects.org/sh16corridor. You can also contact ITD at sh16corridor@itd.idaho.gov and (208) 334-8008.

Expect slowdowns on I-84 near Simco Road Interchange for the next couple weeks

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is asking drivers to plan ahead and expect slowdowns when traveling westbound on I-84 near the Simco Road Interchange as construction continues in the area.

Only one lane remains open for westbound travelers near the interchange as crews improve the westbound on- and off-ramps. This reduction in lanes will be in place until October 16.

Drivers on I-84 will be slowed to 65 mph, and traffic looking to cross the freeway via Simco Road will be detoured.

ITD is taking several steps to keep traffic flowing during the closure. Signs are up eight miles ahead of the work zone, and semitrucks will be directed to change lanes earlier. To encourage drivers to follow the posted speed limit, feedback signs are in place, and law enforcement will be conducting patrols in the area.

The department wants to remind drivers to have patience when traveling through the area, slow down, and obey all posted signs.

Construction on this project began in July to rebuild the bridge over I-84, which was built in 1959. Work is expected to be complete next summer.
Travelers are reminded to know before they go and check 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.

Idaho DMV makes mailed registration renewals more affordable

BOISE- It is now more affordable than ever to renew your vehicle registration by mail. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has eliminated administrative fees for mailed registration renewals.

“The Idaho DMV is committed to elevating the customer experience by removing extra fees and offering a variety of convenient ways to do business with the DMV that fit into Idahoans’ busy lives,” said DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan.

The administrative fee removal is the latest in a series of fee reduction efforts by the Idaho DMV. In the past 12 months, the DMV has removed administrative fees for online registration renewals and removed convenience fees for online driver’s license renewals and license reinstatements. The DMV also introduced e-notifications for customers who prefer text or email communication over mailed renewal reminders and expanded online license renewals to include commercial driver’s licenses.

Over 636,367 registrations have been renewed online or by other Skip the Trip methods since January 1, 2023. Since e-notifications launched in March, 94,295 customers have signed up.

DMV.idaho.gov is a one-stop-shop for everything DMV. Over a dozen transactions can be completed online, from a change of address to registration renewals. Customers searching the web should be wary of imitation and scam websites claiming to offer DMV services. The safest option is always to type DMV.idaho.gov directly into your browser bar. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online where you are always first in line.

ITD’s snow & ice team again best in nation!

Despite more competitors than ever before, the ITD maintenance team took home first-place honors at the Snow & Ice Conference and National Snow Roadeo for the second time in three years. They won it in 2021 and placed second nationally last year.

Winning the overall team award again in Colorado September 29 against 300 competitors from all across the country is impressive,” said ITD Chief Deputy and COO Dan McElhinney. “We are proud of our ITD maintenance roadeo team members for their commitment to skill excellence, work zone safety and representing Idaho as the best in the nation!”

The ITD team (pictured at right) featured Kyler Fullmer and Stacey McCurdy of District 6 (East Idaho), Jed Henderson of District 1 (North Idaho), and Brandon Steffens of District 5 (Southeast Idaho). These were also the top four finishers in the state roadeo competition held in July in Salmon, Idaho.

McCurdy, Henderson and Steffens were also on the team that won the national title in 2021.

“I would like to thank the participants,” said first-year roadeo coordinator Alan Huey. “They were proud to represent ITD and showcase the department’s commitment to safety and the skills that translate into service for Idaho’s drivers each winter.”

“The competition was tough, but the team delivered a top-notch performance.”

Each event featured loads of competitors — Single Axle had 53 participants, Grader had 58, Tandem Axle had 59, and Skid Steer had 69. The Loader event featured 100 participants!

“It’s great that we can come together as a team from all different districts to take first place again this year as an agency,” said D1’s Henderson, who made his third straight trip to nationals this year, and was also a part of ITD’s first title team in 2021. “Everyone performed so well, and I look forward to competing again next year.”

Henderson also expressed his appreciation to Kelley Dick, who is moving on from the roadeos next year after promoting to ITD Fleet Manager.

Open house next Wednesday to share plans to replace the US-30 Dry Creek Bridge

A truck crosses an old bridge near Murtaugh

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) invites the public to attend an open house next Wednesday to share input on the replacement of the Dry Creek Bridge located on U.S. Highway 30.

Originally built in the 1930s, the existing bridge is a two-lane structure that crosses Dry Creek just north of Murtaugh Lake. Proposed plans include updating the guardrail and widening the shoulders, as well as building the new bridge in the same spot or shifting the structure slightly to the north or the south. The department is also seeking comment on ways to preserve historical aspects of the bridge.

The open house will run from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on October 11 in the Murtaugh High School Cafeteria at 500 Boyd Street. An online option will be available at ITDProjects.org/US30DryCreek from October 11 to October 18 to give members of the public who cannot attend in person a chance to participate.

“The bridge has served the community for nearly 100 years and is nearing the end of its lifespan,” ITD Project Manager Brent Brumfield said. “It is important that we preserve the history of the bridge while ensuring the public can cross Dry Creek safely.”

The bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2026. For more information, or to participate in the online open house, visit ITDProjects.org/US30DryCreek.

New nighttime traffic signal pattern for drivers on US-95 in Coeur d’Alene

Yellow traffic light on US-95 in Coeur d'Alene

Since mid-September, drivers in North Idaho may have noticed a change to late-night driving on U.S. Highway 95 through Coeur d’Alene. Previously, signals through the corridor used to flash yellow or red during late night hours to allow drivers already on the highway more mobility while traffic volumes were low. That pattern is no more, having been replaced by a detection and activation system designed to improve safety and prioritize northbound and southbound traffic flow.

“There are a variety of factors that influenced this change,” said Damon Allen, the district engineer for the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). “The primary driving factor behind this change is safety.”

In recent years local law enforcement agencies have reported an uptick in late night near-miss crashes at signalized intersections with more drivers entering US-95 from side streets failing to yield.

“If you look at the data, moving away from any sort of nighttime flash pattern is trending nationwide, and the reason is safety,” Allen said.

According to ITD Engineer Manager Lee Bernardi who oversees the traffic section, problems arose from drivers on side streets not realizing that northbound and southbound traffic on US-95 had a flashing yellow light, rather than a flashing red. Signals are not designed for other-directional traffic to be able to see the lit color, so it’s understandable for a driver attempting to cross US-95 with a flashing red to assume opposing traffic also has a flashing red, and would treat it as a four-way stop rather than yielding to oncoming vehicles.

Bernardi continued, “As drivers, we’re conditioned to treat flashing red lights one way, and flashing yellow lights entirely differently. Maintaining complex intersections that combine these two conflicting behaviors, coupled with the amount of growth this area has seen in recent years, it’s logical to transition to a solution that eliminates assumptions on the part of motorists.”

In addition, updating to a nighttime activation system will keep the corridor uniform with the functionality of other signals throughout the area managed by local highway districts and cities.

“It makes sense for drivers to have the same expectations on all primary roadways in the area regardless of jurisdiction or time of day, and eliminating the nighttime flash on US-95 through Coeur d’Alene does exactly that,” said Allen.

The good news for drivers is that, despite this recent change, there should be a relatively low impact to their late-night mobility. Thanks to recent radar and detection equipment upgrades at every intersection along US-95 between Interstate 90 and Lancaster Road, each signal can operate independently of timing cycles and relies simply on a ‘see it and serve it’ strategy.

Each night, when the signals change over to the activation schedule, northbound and southbound lights are designed to rest on green, prioritizing the primary flow of traffic. Typically, the only time the flow of US-95 should be interrupted is when the signals detect either turning or cross-street traffic waiting at an intersection. The lights will quickly transition to serve those waiting vehicles and then get right back to green, rather than having to wait through a timing cycle for each lane. Likewise, cross street traffic should notice a decrease in wait times to get through an intersection.

“Our primary goal is to keep traffic moving,” said Allen. “We want drivers to remember that we are also in the business of efficiency, while maintaining a balance between mobility and safety for everyone on the road.”