AAA recently reported that the Idaho death rate for vehicle crashes increased in 2015 to 16.1%, more than two times the national average. Studies indicate that in many cases, aggressive motorists who think they can outperform others on the road create dangerous driving conditions. Also, another known contributing factor in crashes is distracted driving which continues to be on the rise.
For the most part, Idaho is considered a safe place to live, work, travel, and play. With hundreds of mountain ranges, fifty of which have elevations of 10,000 feet above sea level, it is no mystery why Idaho is called the Gem State. There are 31 scenic byways totaling 2,468 miles of road. Steep, twisting mountain highways with sharp corners can be hazardous for motorists. Inexperience, inattention and under-estimating the difficulty of travel can lead to harmful and/or deadly crashes. In addition, Idaho’s population is growing as many are drawn to the opportunities urban areas provide resulting in higher traffic volumes on the roads each day.
ITD plans to partner with legislators and state and local law enforcement agencies to identify traffic safety problems, gather data and use the data to implement public awareness campaigns and programs to reduce the number of injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicle crashes on Idaho roads.
ITD developed a comprehensive strategy which identifies its goals to reduce and someday eliminate fatalities in our Gem State. ITD’s mission is to provide the safest transportation possible for Idahoans. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety has published its “FFY 2016 Idaho Highway Safety Plan” which can be found on the web page at: http://itd.idaho.gov/safety/.
Have you or someone you love been injured in a crash as a result of an aggressive or distracted driver? The friendly, experienced personal injury attorneys at Racine Olson are available to answer your questions and address your concerns. Call today at 208-232-6101 for a consultation.
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