BCSO announces winter driving class

BONNERS FERRY — If you're looking for tips on winter driving, you don't need to look much further than the Boundary County Sheriff's Office.

BCSO is offering a classroom session on winter driving on Dec. 1. The course will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the Boundary County Annex, 6566 Main St.

The classroom informational training is designed to help drivers who are new to driving on winter roads and give them some helpful information to be better prepared for winter driving, Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer said.

"If you are a new driver or recently moved to this area and have not had experience driving on snow and ice or just want a refresher, this would be a good class for you," he said.

There is no cost for the training. Instead, Kramer said the sheriff’s office offers the course as a community service to help keep residents safer on the roads. The classroom size is limited, so please sign up early if you plan on attending.

Remember “Take it slow when you see ice and snow,” Kramer said.

To sign up for the class please email Amanda at atompkins@boundarysheriff.org or call at 208-267-3151 x217

If residents miss the class, the Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho State Police are teaming up to help area residents improve their winter driving skills.

The two agencies are holding a pair of courses — one in Sandpoint and another in Coeur d'Alene — toward that goal. ITD and ISP will be providing the free informative and engaging winter driving safety classes in November as the region prepares for icy roads and adverse weather. 

While these courses are beneficial for drivers of all ages and skill levels, they are especially geared to young drivers and anyone new to the area who may be preparing for their first winter driving season. 

Courses will be taught by ISP Troopers and ITD operators, covering a wide range of topics from proper vehicle preparation, equipment, road conditions, crashes, and snowplow safety. Participants who attend the course will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible for a 10% discount on a set of new snow tires at eight regional Les Schwab Tires locations.

The first course will be held Saturday, Nov. 4 in Coeur d'Alene. The course will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the community room of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

The Sandpoint course will be held Saturday, Nov. 18 at North Summit Church, 201 N. Division Ave.

Seating is limited and classes are filling up quickly! Attendees for either class must register online (click here) to reserve a seat. Additional courses may be scheduled at a later date.