Speeding has consequences

Deputies from Boundary County Sheriff’s Office are joining with law enforcement officers across Idaho to help keep area roads safe. Beginning this week through the end of July, patrols will be dedicated to stopping aggressive drivers.

This effort comes during the middle of the busy summer travel season, also known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. This is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when there is typically an increase in fatal crashes — so far this summer at least 40 people have been killed in crashes in Idaho.

In 2020, aggressive driving was a factor in nearly half of all crashes and was also a factor in 18 percent of all fatalities in Idaho.

Aggressive driving includes following too closely, failing to yield, tailgating and speeding. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there was a dramatic increase (17%) in speeding-related crash fatalities from 2019-2020. This resulted in 11,258 speeding-related deaths.

Much like impaired driving, speeding is a selfish decision that can have deadly consequences for the driver, vehicle passenger and pedestrians. No matter where you are going or what the reason, there is no excuse for speeding.

These efforts to get aggressive drivers off the road are in partnership with the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety.

“We are asking our community to please slow down and obey the posted signs,” said Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer.