IDAHO NATIONAL TRANSPORTER Idaho
Transportation
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Patrols crack down on impaired or aggressive As the number of scooters and motorcycles increases on Idaho highways so do the number of crashes. In order to save lives and avoid needless injuries, Treasure Valley law enforcement agencies are cracking down on motorcycle and scooter riders who speed, ride aggressively or ride impaired Aug. 1–17. “Many new riders are hitting the street and most have no training”, said Pat Beale, motorcycle safety coordinator with ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety. “Things that may have been dangerous in a car are outright lethal when done on a bike. “Riding a motorcycle requires balance, judgment and quick reactions. Alcohol slows or dulls these skills in riders,” Beale said. “Mix in aggressive riding behaviors such as; speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic, and you’re going to crash.” To reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities, law enforcement officers from throughout the Treasure Valley will be arresting or citing impaired and aggressive riders. In 2007, 34 percent of all motorcycle crashes involved a rider who had been drinking – a higher percentage than that found in any other vehicle type. Of the 29 riders who died in Idaho last year, seven crashes occurred in Ada County and three were in Canyon County. Statistically, 70 percent of the fatalities were single vehicle accidents with no other cars involved. “Lack of training, too much speed and impaired riders sum up the problem”, Beale said. Besides speeding and reckless riding, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that the following behaviors are associated with impaired motorcycle operation more than one-half the time.
For more information concerning impaired and aggressive riding contact ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety at 334-8112. Published 7-25-8 |