4/20/2012

Legislature
Staff tracked 59 transportation-related bills in Legislature
The Idaho Legislature considered 628 pieces of legislation, including House and Senate bills, resolutions, memorials and proclamations, and forwarded more than half (342) to the governor. ITD staff analyzed and tracked 59 bills that related to transportation or how the department operates.
Continue

AASHTO
ITD project featured in AASHTO Earth Day report
A project to restore a central Idaho streambed to its natural channel is among eight initiatives nationwide highlighted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) this week.
Continue

Highway safety
Highway construction prompts workzone safety caution
Safe driving means safer work zones. That’s why ITD reminds motorists to drive carefully through work zones – for their own safety and the safety of construction workers. The Federal Highway Administration, ITD and other state departments of transportation draw special attention to safe driving in or near work zones during national Work Zone Awareness Week April 23-27.
Continue

Highway safety
Avalanche concerns remain for Idaho 21
The return of warmer weather and first signs of spring - birds chirping, flowers blooming, fresh breezes blowing – usually are welcome after a long, cold winter. Usually. For ITD's avalanche forecasters on Idaho 21 it often means things are about to become much more fluid.
Continue

Highways
Deadline for removing studded tires is April 30
ITD reminds drivers that studded tires used to improve vehicle handling in snow and ice most be removed by April 30. The use of studded tires is legal in Idaho from Oct. 1 through April 30. Studded tire laws vary in neighboring states.
Continue

Communications
Quick Facts book available
"Quick Facts," a compact 26-page publication recently published by the Office of Communications, includes information on administrative leaders and board members, budget facts, highways and bridges, motor vehicles, aeronautics, public transportation and highway safety.
Continue

Employees
ProFiles: Show us your best side
How do you do what you do and what motivates you to keep doing what you do? The ITD Transporter will introduce a new feature – ITD ProFiles – that provides insight about the variety of jobs that collectively make up the unique work environment at ITD. We want to know what you do, what it takes to do your job and what you would like to be doing in five or 10 years.
Continue

Driver's licenses
Encore (4-13-12): ITD, Republic of Korea sign reciprocal driver's license agreement
Recognizing the common skills it required to operate a motor vehicle, Idaho and the Republic of Korea signed a reciprocal agreement Friday (April 6) eliminating the need for a new road (skills) test to obtain a driver’s license.
Continue

Accolades
Encore (4-13-12): Sand Creek Byway garners ARTBA award for community outreach
As the project nears completion, the U.S. 95 Sand Creek Byway project in northern Idaho recently received an award for outreach efforts to the public. Public participation was sought throughout the design, environmental and construction processes. A high level of public input was the hallmark of the $98 million project.
Continue

Highway safety
Encore (4-13-12): Statewide texting-while-driving law goes into effect July 1
Statewide texting while driving law goes into effect July 1 Texting while driving is a dangerous distraction, and after July 1, it also will be an illegal and costly decision. Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter signed legislation this month making texting while driving an infraction and Idaho the 37th state to enact a texting while driving ban.
Continue

Highway safety
Encore (4-13-12): Are you driving under influence of distractions? Stop!
Distracted driving is a specific type of inattention that occurs when motorists divert their attention away from the task of driving to focus on another activity instead. The distractions can be electronic distractions, such as navigation systems, cell phones and texting, or more conventional distractions, such as interacting with passengers and eating.
Continue

Highway safety
Encore (4-13-12): Highway Safety Summit registration under way
It’s not too late to sign up for the 2012 Highway Safety Summit Tuesday, May 8, at the Boise Centre. The all-day summit provides highway and traffic safety professionals and advocates with innovative results-oriented solutions to help save lives and reduce serious injuries from motor vehicle crashes.
Continue

Mobility
Encore (4-13-12): Mobility council to meet April 24 in Boise
Grant awards will lead discussion when the Idaho Mobility Council (IMC), including members of the Public Transportation Advisory Council and Interagency Working Group, meet April 24 at the Boise Hotel and Conference Center, 3300 Vista Ave. in Boise.
Continue

2012 Legislature
Encore (4-13-12): Gov. Otter gives session 'solid A'
The Idaho Legislature concluded its work on Thursday, March 29. A total of 342 pieces of legislation reached my desk. I want to thank the members of the Legislature for their hard work and dedication as public servants.
Continue