Idaho agencies prepare drivers for winter driving conditions throughout Idaho

As winter approaches with its inevitable challenges, it’s paramount that drivers prepare themselves to navigate tricky road conditions and minimize unnecessary risks during inclement weather. In a united effort, nearly 50 law enforcement and public safety agencies across Idaho are launching a Winter Driving safety campaign to educate the public about winter driving and snowplow safety. Additionally, statewide emphasis patrols will look for seat belt and impaired driving violations.

Idaho State Police Director Kedrick Wills emphasizes the significance of a collaborative effort, “Every action behind the wheel carries the weight of responsibility that we all share. As law enforcement professionals, we urge every driver to navigate winter roads carefully, respect the conditions, and never drive impaired. Winter driving demands heightened vigilance, so every journey ends with a safe return home.”

The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) pledged increased funding to support local law enforcement in enforcing seat belt violations. Disturbing collision data between 2015 and 2019 revealed that over half of the vehicle occupants killed in Idaho were not restrained, and 1,207 unrestrained individuals suffered critical injuries. While seat belt usage has improved, more than one in ten Idahoans neglect to buckle up. In 2019, 72% of those killed in single-vehicle fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts, underscoring the importance of this life-saving habit.

Josephine Middleton, Highway Safety Manager at ITD explained, “We want drivers to make plans for a sober ride home before they start drinking and remember that wearing a seatbelt is the best defense in a crash. Police are there to protect us from dangerous drivers, but our roads are made even safer when people make good choices before getting behind the wheel.”

In addition to seat belt enforcement, extra patrols will focus on combating impaired driving. Despite being entirely preventable, over 11,500 people lost their lives in drunk-driving incidents across the United States in 2020, equating to one death every 45 minutes. In Idaho, 92 people were killed in impaired collisions. It’s essential to recognize that impairment extends to any substance that hampers the ability to drive safely – various substances slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times. While officers enforce the law, it’s everyone’s job to prevent impaired driving.

Here are some critical steps to consider:

Plan ahead – Don’t drive impaired.
Arrange for a safe and sober ride home in advance.
Seek an alternative mode of transportation if you consume any impairing substances.
If someone is impaired, do not allow them to take the wheel.
Always wear a seat belt, as it is your primary defense against impaired drivers.

As winter weather is unpredictable and treacherous, drivers should prepare for adverse conditions. Statewide, more than 16,000 accidents occurred during inclement weather between October 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022, with many attributed to unsafe driving in snow, ice, and wet conditions.

When traveling, let others know your plans – especially if driving through areas without cell service – and check in on arrival. Make safe winter driving a habit:

Adjust your driving to handle changing conditions:

Reduce your speed and drive at a safe pace.
Avoid driving into a storm; find a safe place off the road and wait.
Stay in your vehicle until visibility improves, even if an accident occurs.
Increase your following distance.
Exercise caution around stopped or slow-moving vehicles.
Only pass or change lanes when necessary.

Prepare your vehicle:

Ensure you have a full tank of gas and windshield washer fluid.
Equip your vehicle with all-season or studded snow tires.
Carry chains, a tow rope, cat litter, or cardboard for emergency traction.
Have a blanket, warm clothing, shovel, jumper cables, and a windshield scraper on hand.
Prepare a first aid kit with a knife, flashlight with extra batteries, non-perishable food, bottled water, and cell phone charger.

Avoid distractions:

Stay focused on the road and remain vigilant for potential road hazards like animals and trees.
Take necessary breaks to combat fatigue.
Be mindful of hidden dangers like icy overpasses and bridges, open ground blizzards, hills, stoplights, signs, and ruts that may collect water.

Every year, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) deploys over 550 snowplow operators to clear over 3.4 million miles throughout Idaho. Ensure their safety:

Give snowplows ample space to work:

The best roadway is a safe distance behind a working plow.
Never pass on the right.

Know before you go:

Check the weather forecast before embarking on your journey.
Stay informed about Idaho Department of Transportation (IDT) winter road conditions at 511.idaho.gov and monitor National Weather Service updates at www.weather.gov.

ITD brings state Christmas tree to Idaho’s Capitol on Monday

The Idaho Transportation Department delivered Idaho’s state Christmas tree to the steps of the Capitol on Monday morning.

This year’s tree, which is always a blue spruce, stands at approximately 45 feet tall and will be cut down to around 35 feet tall before it is decorated with 11,000 LED lights.

The Boise Police Department will provide traffic control, and the Idaho Department of Lands will cut the tree down. The tree will be held upright by a crane until it is laid down on ITD’s 50-foot transport truck and from there taken to the Capitol. The tree will then be lowered into a 9-foot-hole that is designed for this very occasion.

ITD has been safely transporting Idaho’s Christmas tree for more than 20 years.

“We are honored to be part of a tradition that brings so much joy to Idahoans. We look forward to it every year,” Foreman Travis Dodd said.

This year and next year will be especially short trips for ITD as the trees will be harvested from behind the Capitol within the 600 block of West State Street. The Capitol administration team keeps a list of all the eligible trees people around the area want to donate, and in August the state’s Christmas tree is selected from that list. Last year’s tree came from Harrison Boulevard.

If you are headed to the mountains to get your own Christmas tree, ITD wants to remind you to be prepared by having an emergency kit in your car that includes:

Flashlight
Jumper cables
Kitty litter
Chains
Small shovel
First aid kit
Food and water
Small sleeping bag or blanket, winter coat, gloves, waterproof boots
Ice scraper
Phone charger.

Before any winter travel, drivers should use 511.idaho.gov or the Idaho 511 app to check road conditions, cameras, and weather reports before heading out to cut down a Christmas tree.

ITD truck & trailer for transporting the tree — The Christmas tree will be put on this transporter truck and then delivered to the Capitol.

Seat belts save lives: ITD urges Idahoans to buckle up as statewide enforcement campaign kicks off

Eighty-eight percent of Idahoans wear their seat belt. Starting today extra police patrols will be focused on making sure you are one of them.

From Friday, Nov. 17 to 30 the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and over 50 law enforcement agencies from around the state are teaming up to promote seat belt use. Expect to see more police on the roads in the next few weeks focusing on stopping and educating drivers about seat belt safety.

Most Idahoans wear their seatbelts. OHS conducts an annual observational survey of seat belt use every summer. This year’s statewide observed seat belt use rate was 87.5% which is only a slight deviation from last year’s rate of 87.6%.

Survey data from this year and past years shows that seat belt use is higher in urban areas and lower in rural areas. Although crashes happen more often in urban areas, OHS data shows a higher rate of fatal crashes in rural areas in part because of lower seat belt use, as well as factors like speed and impaired driving.

“Seat belts save lives. If you get into a crash, a seat belt increases your odds of survival by nearly 50 percent,” explained OHS Occupant Protection Program Specialist Tabitha Smith.

This heat map depicts all crashes (all severity types) across Idaho from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022.

This heat map depicts crashes with unbelted fatalities across Idaho from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022.

Idaho crash data from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022, is available online. Some 2023 data is available online, however, all 2023 data is preliminary and could change.

Getting Panhandle drivers “Idaho Ready” for winter!

ISP Trooper and ITD plow driver teaching during a winter driving safety class in Coeur d'Alene

Each year the Idaho Transportation Department urges people to be “Idaho Ready” for winter, and two employees in North Idaho are putting those words into action!

For anyone new here, “Idaho Ready” is a campaign rolled out each year through the Idaho Office of Highway Safety encouraging residents to understand that in our beautiful state there are a few strings attached when it comes to winter driving. Being prepared for conditions, understanding safety, and planning ahead are all tools that can help drivers get from point A to B successfully and safely during our cold, snowy months.

To help drivers, especially those new to the road or to Idaho, TJ Gibson and Gary Davis have stepped up to the plate volunteering to teach winter safe driving courses throughout the Panhandle.

When it comes to teaching, Gary is a seasoned professional, having taught the SNOW (Safely Navigate Our Winters) curriculum in conjunction with driver education courses in Bonner County for the last two and a half years.

“This information is important for kids, not just during the fall and winter months, but all year long,” said Davis. To ensure teens during warm-weather classes receive the same information, Gary teaches this course every 2 months in Sandpoint. “I have fun working with them, and I know it makes an impact because there have been times that I’ve run into these kids with their parents in the community and they will pull mom or dad over and introduce them to me saying ‘that’s him, he was the one who taught us all about winter driving and snowplows!’”

“It feels good knowing what I do leaves a lasting impression on these kids and knowing that what I’m up here teaching them is helping to save lives.”

For the first time ever, ITD has also teamed up this fall with Idaho State Police Troopers to offer free Winter Safe Driving courses to the public. Course attendees sit through a 90-minute presentation that covers vehicle preparation, appropriate speed and steering for conditions, and crash safety by Trooper Troy Tulleners, who is featured statewide in a weekly Traffic Tip Tuesday social media vlog. The class is then rounded out by ITD plow operators explaining our snow-fighting methods, equipment and how drivers can interact safely with plows on the road.

On November 4, Gibson, Foreman of the 170 CDA Metro Crew, stood in front of an audience of over 70 teens and adults, introducing them to the world of winter-maintenance operations, road clearing and most importantly, the often-unseen but ultra-effective wing plow that is involved in a majority of strike incidents.

“Of course, when a plow gets hit, the safety of everyone involved is what we worry about most. Beyond that, you also need to understand the time and cost involved with those crashes and what the implications of that are for our force,” explained Gibson. “Each one of those machines is critical to our ability to keep the roads clear and safe, so when one goes down, that means risk goes up.”

“I live in this community too, just like you all, and I’m not immune to being stuck behind a plow every now and again too, but a little bit of patience goes a long way to keeping everyone safe and keeping those trucks on the road.”

Understanding the importance of winter-driving safety, especially when it comes to proper vehicle equipment, several local Les Schwab Tires stores have also partnered with us for these courses, offering a 10% discount on a new set of winter tires to any class participants who bring in their certificate of completion.

Veteran and ITD employee continues to help those in need

Navy Veteran and Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) worker Shawn Denham continues to answer the call of duty; it just looks different these days. Denham is part of ITD’s Incident Response team, a two-person team that aids motorists broken down on Interstate 84 in the Treasure Valley.

The day-to-day mission has no doubt changed since Denham’s five years with the Navy. Denham can now be found jump-starting vehicles, refilling a radiator, changing tires, and providing gas to those stranded along I-84. On average he drives 150 to 200 miles each day looking for motorists in need of help.

ITD’s Incident Response team began in 1997. Since that time crews have responded to well over 100,000 traffic incidents and are often the first on the scene at collisions.

Any incident that clogs the roadway has potential to create secondary crashes, which is why ITD’s Incident Response team is cruising the interstate Monday through Friday. For each minute a crash is not cleared, the chances of a secondary crash increase about three percent.

There is also significant economic benefit to the team. It’s been estimated that in Southwest Idaho, a half-hour delay in an urban setting can equate to $30,000 in lost work productivity.

Eleven percent of ITD’s workforce is made up of veterans. In total, there are 164 veterans at ITD including 12 women and 152 men. The Idaho Transportation Department wants to thank all veterans of the United States Armed Forces for their service.

Lane closures next week on the Perrine Bridge

Drone shot of the Perrine Bridge with snow on the ground

Drivers should plan for alternating lane closures next week as crews continue making repairs to the Perrine Bridge.

Next week workers will apply a sealant to both sidewalks on the bridge to protect them from weathering. The closures will be staggered so only one lane or one sidewalk will be closed at a time. Lanes will be closed so that the contractor can access the sidewalks and will be open at night when workers are not present.

Wednesday through Friday (Nov. 15-17)
- The sidewalk on the west side of the bridge will close for repairs. The adjacent southbound lane will be closed.
Friday through Sunday (Nov. 17-19)
- The sidewalk on the east side of the bridge will close for repairs. The adjacent northbound lane will be closed.

Maintenance will last through spring of 2024 and includes repairs to the sidewalks, the railing and cracks to extend the lifespan of the bridge. Some of the steel supports will also be painted for protection from weathering.

Activities are dependent on weather conditions. Travelers should stay up to date on impacts by visiting 511.idaho.gov or downloading the 511 app.

Public invited to provide input on intersection improvements to US-26/ 45TH Ave. & 55TH Ave.

Map for Public Meeting Intersection Improvements

The Idaho Transportation Department is hosting a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 16, for the community to learn more, ask questions and provide input about two upcoming intersection improvement projects.

The public meeting will share preliminary design plans for the intersections at US-26/ 45^th & 55^th. The meeting will be open-house format for the community to drop in between 5 and 7 p.m. at Thunder Ridge High School in the Lecture Hall at 4941 1st Street in Idaho Falls. Information about the process, goals, benefits, and timelines for the improvements will be provided. No formal presentation will be given; however, the project team will be available to answer questions.

A self-guided virtual meeting, with the same information as the in-person experience, will also be available at the project website starting Nov. 16. The feedback survey to provide formal comment during this time is also available on the project website. It will be open through Nov. 30.

“Due to traffic increase and a rise in severe accidents, this area needs to be addressed. It is a main artery route for commuters from the east side of the state to the Idaho Falls center and access to I-15,” Project Manager Rachel Telford said. “We want this public meeting to be an opportunity for the community to be a part of helping us create safe solutions for the future.”

Join the project team at the public meeting or visit the website at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/intersection-improvments-45th-and-55th to view the virtual meeting, complete the survey online, and sign up for updates.

Office of Highway Safety offers grant training for Idaho communities

Looking for ways to improve traffic safety in your community? The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is offering online grant training for community partners on Thursday, November 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. Mountain Time.

Community safety advocates, organizations, municipalities, and non-profits are encouraged to attend to learn more about the grants offered by OHS. Participants will learn how to identify and document traffic safety problems for a grant, eligible projects and activities, and how to complete a grant application.

The application period for Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Grants will open in December 2023.

These grants fund projects to address specific behavior-related traffic safety issues. These behaviors include impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, seat belt use, bicycle, pedestrian, motorcycle safety, and young drivers. Grants may be awarded for assisting OHS in targeting traffic safety focus areas, expanding ongoing activities, or developing a new program or intervention.

Please email ohstraining@itd.idaho.gov to register for the grant training session.

US-95 Aht’Wy Interchange shifts into new traffic pattern on November 16

Picture of the new pavement at the Aht'Wy Interchange project

Fall construction is progressing at the Aht’Wy Interchange on U.S. Highway 95 near the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge RV Park, and motorists should expect a new traffic pattern starting Thursday, November 16.

Drivers will be able to travel on newly paved lanes, with eastbound traffic no longer crossed over to the westbound lanes. A concrete barrier will divide both lanes. Single lanes remain for each direction of travel and the speed limit is lowered for continual safety.

Changes will not affect either entrance to the plaza. At the west entrance, drivers are still unable to turn left from US-95 into the plaza or turn left from the plaza onto US-95.

To see a graphic for access to and from the plaza, please continue to reference this handout.

Construction will continue through the winter, and the project will remain in this traffic pattern until late spring next year. The Idaho Transportation Department and construction partners appreciate the public’s attention to these changes and continued vigilance towards safety.

The Aht’Wy Interchange will allow vehicles and pedestrians to safely cross the highway without impeding the primary flow of traffic. The interchange will feature ramps to connect plaza entrances to US-95. The project is expected to take less than two years to complete.

Updates on the Aht’Wy Interchange can be found by visiting https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/ahtwyinterchange.

Road repairs on US-20 west of Idaho Falls

Mill and Inlay project west of Idaho Falls

Road construction will commence on US-20 for approximately 13 miles from milepost 301 to milepost 288 west of Idaho Falls.

Work will encompass repairing the right wheel path with a cold mill and inlay process. This project is to make repairs to the existing roadway and extend the lifespan of the highway.

Road work will take place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. The project is expected to last approximately 2 weeks.

Motorists should anticipate reduced speeds and traffic control with a pilot car to guide traffic through the work zone. Drivers are encouraged to watch for flaggers in the work zone. As construction continues, drivers should plan their commute accordingly.

Please check 511.idaho.gov or the 511 app for the most recent information on road work.