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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Headquarters, 700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian, ID 83642
For Immediate Release: 06/02/21 2:00 p.m.
Please direct questions to the ISP Public Affairs Office isppio@isp.idaho.gov (208)884-7122
or your local District office.
Leading into "100 Deadliest Days": 233 Seat Belt Citations, and a Tragic Memorial Day Weekend.
Idaho State Police Troopers wrote 233 citations to motorists for not wearing seat belts during the last two weeks in May. Through the Memorial Day weekend, Troopers responded to seven fatal crashes that tragically left 12 people dead.
"Our ISP Troopers and dispatchers connect with those involved, their families, and those who witness these very serious crashes. They're incredible professionals, yet like all Idahoans, we too felt the extreme tragedy faced by too many families this past weekend." Said ISP Colonel Kedrick Wills.
"We at ISP hope that families and communities will talk about and reinforce the importance of safe driving habits. Keeping families whole and motorists safe on our roadways is important to all of us, and the only way we can make that happen is to work together."
SAFE DRIVING HABITS:
The Idaho State Police want to remind motorists of these essential safe driving habits, and encourage friends and families to talk about safe driving habits with their loved ones:
- Buckle up: More than half of Idaho motorists killed in crashes are not buckled in.**
- Drive engaged: Keep your eyes on the road and your mind on driving. Cell phones, stereos, other technology, even pets can be a deadly distraction.
- Drive Sober: Alcohol and drugs both cause impaired driving. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
- Keep a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This is often a constant effort for a driver, yet following too closely reduces reaction time and increases risk of being involved in a collision.
- Avoid excessive speed and other aggressive driving behaviors. Speeding or driving too fast for conditions, ignoring traffic signals, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic are common causes for crashes.
For more on having a conversation with a loved one about safe and engaged driving, go to shift-idaho.org.
SEAT BELT CAMPAIGN: ISP issued 233 Citations between May 17 and May 30, 2021.
The Idaho State Police was one of 59 law enforcement agencies statewide to participate in the recent "Click It or Ticket" education and enforcement campaign.*
Between May 17 and May 30, 2021, Idaho State Police Troopers issued 233 citations to motorists for failing to properly wear safety restraints.
"I've been to so many crashes, even low speed or single-vehicle crashes, or crashes in the center of town, where a seat belt would have kept someone secure in the vehicle or otherwise prevented serious injuries." Said ISP Sgt. Steve Farley.
"In the summer when families and groups are taking more long trips, it's essential everyone is properly buckled in. It's that many more people who could be hurt, and it's tough to see crashes where those injuries may have been prevented."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has more information for parents on the proper use of car and booster seats for children. Go to nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats .
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* Additional seat belt driving patrols were funded by a grant from the Idaho Transportation Department Office of Highway Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Thank you to these agencies for supporting ISP?s efforts to keep Idaho?s roadways safe.
** ITD Office of Highway Safety data shows from 2015-2019, 56% of vehicle occupants killed in Idaho were not restrained, and 1,207 unrestrained vehicle occupants were critically injured in traffic crashes.
