Local Law Enforcement Joins Effort to Prevent Distracted Driving

The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office and the Bonners Ferry Police Department are joining other law enforcement agencies across the state to keep our community safe by educating the public about engaged driving. This is part of a statewide effort to highlight the dangers of driving distracted.

From April 19-29, more than 60 law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho will work with the Idaho Transportation Department to dedicate patrols to the enforcement of Idaho’s hands-free law.

“April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and we strongly encourage drivers to disconnect from their phones and other devices, put them away while you are behind the wheel, and drive engaged,” said Sheriff Kramer.

This effort comes amid a surge in traffic fatalities across the country and here in Idaho. According to preliminary data from ITD’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS), 271 people were killed in crashes last year – that is the most traffic fatalities in a single year since 2005.

According to OHS data, between 2016 and 2020 there were more than 23,000 distracted driving crashes in Idaho killing 209 people. Nationally, distracted driving was a factor in nine percent of all traffic fatalities in 2019 – in Idaho, it was eighteen percent.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. No text or post is worth ruining someone’s day — or taking a life. Inattentive driving is illegal and dangerous.

If you need to use your phone’s GPS, input the address before you start driving. Check out Bluetooth options for your car so you can talk hands-free, and if you have to read or send a text, pull over and park the car. Choose to leave the distractions behind, stay focused on the road, and drive engaged so you can help save lives

For more information visit: shift-idaho.org.