Wednesday, July 1, 2015

ISP Plans "All Hands on Deck" Operation for July 2nd Travel Day and Provides Tips for a Safe Holiday Weekend

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Teresa Baker
Public Information Officer
Headquarters
700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642
(208) 884-7122
Fax (208) 884-7087

For Immediate Release: 7/1/15 at 1:30 p.m.

MERIDIAN - The 4th of July holiday weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on Idaho's roads and highways. Idaho State Police seek to keep you and your family as safe as possible while celebrating our nation's independence. Public awareness and enhanced patrols have been found to be an effective tool in improving driving safety and reducing crashes.

ISP will conduct an "All Hands on Deck" operation on Thursday, July 2nd. "All Hands on Deck" means that all available sworn ISP personnel, even those usually behind a desk, will be on the road to increase patrols during what will be a busy travel day for the upcoming three-day weekend.

"'All Hands on Deck' is designed to increase patrols on the busiest travel days of the year to give our citizens added safety on the roads," says Colonel Ralph Powell. "This summer has already been too deadly on Idaho's highways. Since Memorial Day weekend, our troopers have investigated 18 fatal crashes. We recommend drivers to drive defensively and pay close attention to what the driver next to you is doing to prevent a crash, injury or even death. ISP will do our part, as it is often the sighting of a patrol car that makes people not only slow down, but obey other traffic laws as well."

The public will be able to virtually ride-along with a trooper on patrol on Thursday via Twitter. The ride-along will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end on Friday at about 1:00 a.m. Idaho State Police's handle on Twitter is @IdahoStPolice.

ISP reminds drivers of the simple things that can save your life or the life of a loved one:

- Buckle up! Make sure everybody in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt or properly restrained in a child safety seat, it's the best defense in the event of a crash.

- Slow down, you will not get to your destination faster, or maybe at all, if you are involved in a crash.

- Drive sober! Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before drinking and give them your keys. If you or a friend are impaired, call a taxi, a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.

- Just drive. Put the distractions such as your phone or food away until you reach your destination. If you are using GPS, let a passenger navigate for you.

- Give yourself more space between you and the vehicle in front of you so you have time to react to heavy traffic, hazards and road conditions.

- Promptly report suspected drunk drivers or other hazardous drivers you see on roadways to law enforcement. Call the Idaho State Police on your mobile phone at *ISP (*477) or simply dial 9-1-1.

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