6/8/2007
Aggressive driving enforcement campaigns planned
BOISE - With aggressive driving contributing to more than half of all crashes in Idaho, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will conduct aggressive driving campaigns June 10-23 and July 15-28.
The campaigns will target drivers who speed, drive too fast for conditions, follow too closely, fail to yield right-of-way, pass stop signs and disregard signals, according to Margaret Goertz, aggressive driving program coordinator with ITD's Office of Highway Operations and Safety.
"More than 36,000 people in Idaho are involved in crashes caused by aggressive driving each year," Goertz said. "That's more people than live in Caldwell or Twin Falls."
According to 2006 crash statistics from ITD, aggressive driving crashes are big contributors to overall traffic crash fatalities, with 43 percent of aggressive driving crashes resulting in a fatality.
The data also shows the percentage of urban crashes were much higher than those in rural areas, 69 percent to 31 percent. Aggressive driving fatalities in rural areas are 68 percent of total fatalities compared to only 32 percent of fatalities in urban areas.
Drivers ages 15-19 are four times as likely as all other drivers to be involved in aggressive driving collisions.
Penalty fines for aggressive driving citations begin at $62, Goertz said. She added that during the campaign, law enforcement officers also will enforce the state's seat belt law, which carries an additional penalty.
"Aggressive drivers should be aware that in addition to fines, aggressive driving violations may result in higher insurance premiums and the loss of a license for younger drivers," she said.
"The enforcement campaign's message is simple - 'Drivers, Chill or Pay the Bill: We're Getting Aggressive with Aggressive Drivers.'"
For more information, contact Goertz at (208) 334-8104.