IDAHO, USA — There will be an increased presence of law enforcement officers on Idaho roads beginning Tuesday, March 19 through Saturday, March 30, as part of a statewide aggressive driving campaign.
The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) announced it is partnering with law enforcement agencies and officers across the state in an effort to address an array of aggressive driving behaviors and reduce incidents.
OHS said preliminary data reflected that, in the year 2023 alone, there were nearly 14,000 aggressive driving incidents or crashes in the Gem State, resulting in the deaths of 103 people.
"Aggressive driving is a choice, which means it's within our power to change," explained Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. "Choosing to drive engaged and safely may save your life or someone else's."
Law enforcement officials urge Idaho parents to address the issue of aggressive driving with their children, as teens make up a disproportionately high number of aggressive driving crashes, according to OHS.
In 2022, drivers ages 16 through 19 were four times more likely to be involved in an aggressive driving crash, while drivers under 25 represented over 35% of all aggressive driving incidents in the state, OHS data showed.
OHS said that while people usually associate road rage with the term "aggressive driving," there are many other behaviors considered aggressive.
Road rage is a violent criminal act that falls on the extreme end of aggressive driving, OHS clarified.
Aggressive driving behaviors according to OHS:
- Failing to obey traffic-control devices, such as stop/yield/speed limit signs, traffic signals and roadway markings
- Speeding
- Tailgating or following-too-close (not allowing for three seconds of reaction time between vehicles)
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Making improper lane changes frequently and abruptly
- Passing on the shoulder in an unsafe manner and putting others at risk
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Honking unnecessarily
- Screaming or flashing lights at others
- Making rude hand or facial gestures
The Office of Highway Safety reminds travelers that numbers 1 through 8 are considered traffic violations in the state of Idaho.
Law enforcement asks individuals to report aggressive or violent driving if witnessed on the roadway. That advise you not engage, move out of the way, and try to gather vehicle information, such as a description, license plate number and the location of where the incident occurred.
Make an aggressive driving report by calling the Office of Highway Safety at (208)334-8000 or dial the Idaho State Police non-emergency phone number: (208)324-1911.
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