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Campaign targets aggressive driving behaviors

Speeding, tailgating or trying to beat a yellow light may qualify you as an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving is a leading cause of automobile crashes. A safety campaign sponsored by the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Traffic and Highway Safety (OTHS) is aimed at changing that.

The safety campaign, which runs from July 11-25, will feature paid advertising. Law enforcement agencies in urban areas throughout the state also will perform targeted patrols to identify aggressive drivers.

“Every time you follow too close, run a red light, roll through a stop sign, or fail to yield, you’re driving aggressively – and increasing your chances of being in a crash,” says Mike Elmer of OTHS. “Most all of us drive aggressively at one time or another, so since we’re all part of the problem, we all need to be part of the solution.”

Driving predictably, signaling before lane changes, staying within posted speed limits and keeping a safe following distance increases a driver’s own safety.

The campaign asks drivers to take an honest appraisal of their own driving habits and consider how they can change their behavior to make Idaho’s roads safer. Simple, straightforward messages, such as “Running the red?” and “Tailgating?” are featured in advertising messages with a goal of educating drivers about behaviors that are considered aggressive and potentially dangerous.

“In simple terms, people who drive as if they are 10 minutes late are considered aggressive drivers. Being in a hurry often makes us take risks we shouldn’t,” Elmer says.