39 lives lost , over 3,000 injuries in distracted driving; police begin education and enforcement campaign

April 2, 2016

Bonners Ferry police will be participating in Idaho's statewide Idaho "Drive Aware" campaign. Yes, this means increased enforcement activity, and hopefully will result in lives saved. When a driver choses to drive distracted it can result in tragic consequences, especially for more vulnerable road users such as bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. Idaho’s law enforcement personnel will be participating in the state’s first Attentive Driving Mobilization, April 1-11, to help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. This effort is a part of the Idaho Transportation Department Office of Highways Safety’s “Just Drive Aware” campaign that combines education awareness and enforcement of Idaho’s traffic laws that apply to inattentive driving. These laws include distractions such as texting and failure-to-maintain lane, which occur when a motorist chooses to not drive attentively. Bonners Ferry Police Department understands driver distractions are not specific to cell phone use. Anything that takes eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel, or mind off driving is considered a distraction—visual, manual and cognitive. Distractions include navigation and entertainment systems, cell phones, or more conventional distractions, such as interacting with passengers, applying makeup, or eating. In 2014, there were 4,781 distracted driving traffic crashes which resulted in 39 lives lost, and 3,243 people injured. Seventy-nine percent of fatal distracted driving crashes occurred on rural roadways. During the years 2010-2014, 52 percent of the people killed in distracted driving crashes in Idaho were not buckled-up. If you’re driving, four simple things can protect you: • keep your hands on the wheel; • keep your eyes on the road; • keep your mind on driving (if you’re a passenger, speak up if you think the driver is distracted); and • keep your seat belt fastened. "Bonners Ferry Police Department believes that people’s traffic safety behaviors can change through education, awareness, and high-visibility enforcement, bringing us towards zero deaths on Idaho roadways,” said Chief Vic Watson.