The Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety wants drivers to take caution as they travel for the Memorial Day weekend.
The holiday marks the beginning of the summer travel season and the start of the “100 Deadliest Days” of driving. According to an ITD press release, the 100 Deadliest Days is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when there is an increase in fatal crashes.
Last year in Idaho, 101 people were killed in crashes during this time frame. The busy summer driving season also comes amid an increase in fatalities in Idaho and across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 42,915 people nationally were killed in traffic crashes last year – a 10.5% increase from 2020. Idaho also saw a dramatic increase in traffic fatalities last year. According to preliminary data, 271 people were killed in crashes – the most in a single year since 2005.
During the holiday weekend, OHS is partnering with more than 60 law enforcement agencies across Idaho to dedicate extra patrols to enforcing Idaho’s seat belt law. Throughout the summer, OHS and its partners will participate in other enforcement and education activities to prevent impaired and aggressive driving crashes. (ITD)
