Untitled Document

Campaign targets aggressive drivers

Tailgating, quick lane changes, running yellow lights, speeding or ignoring traffic signs and signals are telltale characteristics of an aggressive driver, according to the Office of Traffic and Highway Safety.

"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 Aug. 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: