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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email


Highway Operations targets four problem areas

(Note: This is the second of two parts on Idaho’s 2005 motor vehicle collision report.)

The four primary contributors to injuries and deaths on Idaho highways are targets of a number of initiatives launched by or involving ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety.

“The safety of travelers, using all modes of transportation, on Idaho’s highways is a concern shared by numerous state organizations and agencies,” said Brent Jennings of OHOS.

“During the Governor’s Highway Safety Summit representatives from these organizations and agencies were brought together and as a result 10 different focus areas were identified as targets to improve highway safety. Impaired driving, aggressive driving, youth driving and seat belt usage are four of the biggest challenge areas that OHOS is concentrating on initially,” he said.

Impaired driving
Last year, more than a third of Idaho’s traffic fatalities were the result of impaired driving. OHOS applied for and received more than $600,000 in federal grant funding for combating impaired driving. The money is being used to:

  • Help offset law enforcement overtime costs for increased DUI patrols statewide;
  • Establish a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor who will assist local prosecutors in gaining more DUI convictions;
  • Fund a DUI court in Twin Falls that will emphasize intense supervision and treatment for repeat offenders, starting this winter;
  • Fund additional training for law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors to increase their effectiveness.

Aggressive driving
Aggressive driving was a contributing factor in 55 percent of the motor vehicle collisions in 2005 and was a factor in just under half of the resulting fatalities. OHOS is helping to support a statewide effort targeting aggressive drivers through education and media campaigns, and support for increased law enforcement patrols.

Youth driving
A teen driver Web site was launched by OHOS to reach young drivers, ages 15 to 19, at http://www.xtr4.com. There, new drivers can learn more about driving safety and how to pass their driving tests. The site also contains information on the innovative “Drive for Parents” program. OHOS is partnering with the Department of Education’s Graduated Drivers

Licensing instructors to bring the “Drive for Teens” program to driver’s education instructors across the state. The “Drive” programs were created by former marketing executive Mark Horowitz to help all drivers, new and experienced, develop a mature, positive attitude towards driving.

Occupant protection
Seat belt safety resources are currently being used to fund statewide mobilizations in November and again in May. The mobilizations will be supported with media campaigns geared to reach younger male drivers, ages 18-34, who are less likely to buckle up and more likely to break laws. OHOS is also working with the Idaho Seat Belt Coalition and others in their efforts to educate everyone to buckle up.

Published 10-20-06