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Law enforcement officers target aggressive driving

Tailgating, changing lanes without warning, speeding, running yellow lights, or ignoring traffic signs or signals makes you an aggressive driver and ITD wants you to know that law enforcement patrols will be watching for you.

ITD is partnering with law enforcement agencies across Idaho to make highways safer by funding increased aggressive driving enforcement patrols through April 19.

During the aggressive driving enforcement campaign, Idaho law enforcement officers will increase enforcement of speed limits and traffic laws.

“Aggressive driving is a serious problem in Idaho where more than half of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving,” said Cecilia Arritola, with ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety. “Running late, inattentive driving, speeding, squeezing through yellow lights – all can easily lead to traffic crashes.”

Drivers must recognize what aggressive driving is, understand the risk, and know they will be ticketed if they choose to drive aggressively, Arritola explained.

Nationwide, 88 percent of all speeding fatalities occurred on non-interstate highways during 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). At the same time, 78 percent of fatal crashes in Idaho occurred in rural areas where higher speed limits are usually in place.

Examples of aggressive driving include; speeding, not signaling, tailgating, cutting in, not allowing others to merge, stop sign violations, and disregarding signals and other signs.

Avoid being an aggressive driver by planning ahead and allowing extra time. Concentrate on driving, relax, drive the posted speed limit and just be late if pressed for time.

If confronted by an aggressive driver safely get out of the way, do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane, avoid eye contact and ignore gestures.

For more information about aggressive driving behaviors and how to curb them, please contact ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety at (208) 334-8100.