6/13/2006
Aggressive Driving Responsible for 55% of Car Crashes in Idaho
BOISE - Tailgating, quick lane changes, running yellow lights, speeding or ignoring traffic signs and signals are telltale characteristics of an aggressive driver, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.
"Getting Aggressive with Aggressive Drivers" is the latest message the ITD and law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho are giving motorists this summer as patrols are beefed up from June 5 to August 14 to catch and fine aggressive drivers.
"I see crashes every day that injure or kill people as a result of aggressive driving," said Boise Police Officer Kyle Wills. "Think about living the rest of your life with the thought of having maimed or killed someone and then think again if it is worth speeding or running lights."
Aggressive driving injures and kills more people each year than any other driving behavior.
Last year, 55 percent of car crashes in Idaho were the result of aggressive driving, according to ITD. While teens are four times more likely to be involved in an aggressive driving crash than all other age groups, almost every adult is also guilty of driving aggressively.
The challenge that the transportation department and law enforcement agencies face in working to reduce aggressive driving is that most drivers recognize aggressive driving behaviors in others, while failing to see their own aggressive behaviors.
"If you are an aggressive driver, eventually youre going to seriously injure or kill yourself or someone else, neither of which is worth getting to your destination five minutes earlier," said Wills.
Aggressive Driving in Idaho
Aggressive driving is against the law. Fines for aggressive driving in Idaho range from $62 to $117. Traffic violations that result in points on your drivers record could lead to license revocation and higher insurance premiums. Following are the top five aggressive driving behaviors in Idaho, according to ITD:
Speeding
Following to close
Failing to yield
Disregarding traffic signs and signals
Driving too fast for conditions
For more information about aggressive driving behaviors and how to curb them, call ITDs Office of Traffic and Highway Safety at 208 334-8100 or go to the Web site at itd.idaho.gov.