March 21, 2024
NEWS RELEASE
RE: Don’t be an Aggressive Driver
In 2023 Aggressive Driving contributed to nearly 14,000 crashes in Idaho, 103 of those resulted in a fatality. 39% of Idaho’s fatal crashes also involved some form of aggressive driving behavior. In 2022, the Idaho Office of Highway Safety also reported drivers who were 19 and younger were four times as likely to be involved in aggressive driving crashes compared to all other drivers. A large number of these crashes may have been avoided had a practice of good driving habits been utilized.
Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies want to remind motorists that good driving habits can prevent these types of crashes. Traffic laws are in place to help maintain safe and efficient flow of traffic for everyone, however drivers who are going too fast for conditions or over the posted speed limit, cut in front of other drivers, or fail to properly yield for traffic lights and stop signs disrupt that safe flow and place everyone at increased risk. Our Deputies constantly witness motorists who weave in and out of traffic, pass over the double yellow lines, and change lanes without signaling only to end up at the same intersections with the rest of flowing traffic. Driving aggressively does not save a significant amount of time in your typical day, but it’s guaranteed to add risk to yourself and others.
To help educate aggressive drivers, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is participating with the Idaho Office of Highway Safety and Law Enforcement across the state to mobilize extra Deputies on our roads through the end of March. These Deputies will be looking for and intercepting aggressive drivers in high traffic areas in hopes to lower the risk to our community and promote safer driving habits. Drivers who plan ahead and set a good example with their driving habits influence others on the roads will likely avoid being involved in a crash or being cited for traffic violations.
The choices you make while behind the wheel can make a difference in whether or not you get home safely. Never let your emotions control those choices by violating traffic laws, taking aggressive actions, or engaging with others who do. We encourage parents to continually talk to their kids about safe driving and set the example with your own safe driving habits. For more information on safe driving habits visit www.shift-idaho.org/aggressive-driving/.
