BFPD: High level of excessive speeding tickets

BONNERS FERRY — In the last two weeks, the Bonners Ferry Police Department has written over 50 tickets for excessive speeding.  

Per Idaho Code, driving 16 mph or more over the speed limit is considered “excessive” by Idaho Code.  

This is a stark increase from past years, as in 2022 alone, six excessive speeding citations were given out from Jan. 1 to Augst 27. In that same time period in 2023, 58 citations were given out.  

As of Tuesday, 258 excessive citations were given out.  

BFPD officials detailed the spate of speeding to alert the public to the massive increase in traffic through the area, which likely has been observed by the motoring public as well.  

“Along with this increase in traffic we are seeing an increase in people driving at unsafe speeds, cutting in and out of traffic, and creating hazards for the general motoring public within the city limits as well as out in the county,” BFPD Assistant Chief Jeremy Garrett said in a press release.  

BFPD said local law enforcement wants everyone to be safe and see a change in driving behavior from everyone on our roadways 

“Please slow down, put your phone away, and be mindful of other vehicles/pedestrians around you,” Garrett said. “Nobody wants to receive the phone call that their loved one was injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash that could have been prevented.” 

Boundary County schools begin classes on Sept. 3. BFPD wants to take this opportunity to also remind everyone that on U.S. 95 between Cody and McCall streets, the speed limit will change during the day on Monday through Thursday, from 35 mph to 25 mph with a flashing sign notating the change in speed.  

“When the lights are activated, please slow your vehicle to 25 mph,” he said.  

Speeding through a school zone is listed under Idaho Code 49-658, which stats vehicles should not exceed the posted school zone speed limit, "when children are present.” This means when one or more children are present. 

“The definition applies to children present on the same side of the street as the school building or across the street from the school building in any direction within the marked school zone,” Garrett said.  

“For the first few weeks of school, it is very important to be aware of your driving due to children who have not been crossing the street all summer long, getting back in the swing of crossing Highway 95,” he said. “Please be mindful of the crosswalks that have been installed.” 

If the lights are flashing on the crosswalks you must come to a stop, and it is the pedestrian who has right of way according to Idaho Code 49-702. 

BFPD participated in a speeding emphasis on Friday, Aug. 23. At this time, not all data is available regarding the citations.  

Law enforcement emphases are grant opportunities for BFPD and other agencies.  

“Idaho Transportation Department offers microgrants throughout the year to compile traffic- related data,” Garrett said. “There are approximately 10 grant funding opportunities a year, and the ITD sets the grant dates, the focus of the grants, and provides overtime wage to our department for our data to compile their statistics for traffic safety.” 

These traffic grants generally fall around major holidays and can range from seatbelt enforcement, DUI and speeding enforcement.  

“The grant does not require citations to be written; it is still up to the officer’s discretion,” he said. “We participate in these grants regularly to provide extra officers on the streets to enforce traffic laws.” 

An excellent example of what ITD grants allow the BFPD to do occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 21 

“I had been patrolling Highway 95 looking for traffic related issues when a vehicle came up behind me driving with the driver’s side two tires in the median,” he said. “I pulled over to let the vehicle pass, and when I fell in behind the vehicle it crossed into the median and back into its’ lane two more times.” 

Garrett initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, and through conducting field sobriety evaluations determined that the individual was under the influence of alcohol. 

The driver then provided a breath sample and allegedly blew a .223/.222, almost three times the legal limit of .08. This individual was driving from Leavenworth, Wash., to Kalispell, Mont. 

“If I had not been working this ITD grant, there would have been only one police officer in the city,” he said. “As a result, this individual might have continued driving in this manner and caused a wreck, hurting themselves or someone else.” 

Due to the microgrant, BFPD were able to stop the vehicle and get the driver off the road. 

There are a million more stories just like this one to illustrate the need and worth of these ITD microgrants, he said.