Idaho State Police Plan "All Hands on Deck" Operation and Enhanced Seatbelt Patrols for the Thanksgiving Holiday

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: 11/19/15 at 4:30 p.m.

MERIDIAN - The Idaho State Police want all those traveling on Idaho's roads and highways to make it to their holiday destination safe. ISP will start out the holiday travel season tomorrow with extra patrols on the road for "All Hands on Deck" in conjunction with the beginning of stepped up enforcement of Idaho's seatbelt law.

Emphasis patrols have been found to be an effective tool to improve driving safety and reduce crashes. During "All Hands on Deck" troopers will focus on traffic violations that are known to be factors in crashes and cause fatalities. Speed, aggressive and distracted driving often top the list, along with driving while impaired and failing to use safety belts and child safety seats.

The seatbelt emphasis patrols will continue through November 29th with the extra patrols made possible with a grant from the Idaho Transportation Department's Office of Highway Safety.

"We want to give families added safety on the roads to start out the holiday season," says Colonel Ralph Powell. "The Thanksgiving holiday is a busy time for friends and families, but it is also a busy time for crashes and fatalities. ISP wants to do all we can to prevent these tragedies and make sure everybody gets to spend the holiday season with their family."

The goal of the "All Hands on Deck" enhanced patrols is not to only enforce the traffic laws but, now that winter is upon us, to also remind the public 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;

- Drive according to conditions even if it is below the posted speed limit and give yourself room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you;

- 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.

- 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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