A deadly season on east Idaho roads
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IDAHO FALLS — It’s been a deadly few months on the roads of east Idaho and law enforcement are doing whatever they can to stop car crashes from happening.
The days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are some of the most dangerous to travel so officers and deputies are out in full force spreading a message of safety and stopping drivers who are breaking the law.
“We’ve already seen multiple fatalities and serious injury crashes in the last couple of months here in eastern Idaho,” Sgt. Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said.
On May 22, two teenagers were killed and another teen and woman were critically injured in a crash on 45th West and 17th South.
Three days earlier, a Shelley 13-year-old was hit and killed by a car as he walked along the 7000 S. block of 45th W. with friends.
On April 22, a woman died in a Fort Hall crash involving a semi truck and trailer.
And, just last week, two woman and a teenage girl were rushed to the hospital following a wreck on 49th South and 15th East in Bonneville County.
Those few examples represent just a handful of accidents from the past few weeks. Lovell told EastIdahoNews.com there have been at least seven vehicle related deaths since April in Bonneville County.
The Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety received 11 reports of fatality car crashes throughout the state from May 26 to June 6.
The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is commonly called the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ because so many traffic accidents occur on Idaho roads.
During this time, forty law enforcement agencies across the Gem State are increasing patrols to prevent fatal and serious injury crashes.
“The 100 Deadliest Days mobilization aims to educate drivers about making good decisions such as paying attention, obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, and never driving when impaired by alcohol or drugs,” said Josephine Middleton of the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety.
Lovell reminds the public never to text while driving and says that can be a big cause of car crashes.
“There is an infraction law against texting and driving. There’s also inattentive driving and reckless driving that are the next step above that,” Lovell said. “There’s many things in your vehicle that can divide your attention and take your eyes away from the road.”
Lovell believes the number of fatal crashes has increased within the county compared to last year at this time and he hopes recent accidents can serve as a warning to drivers.
“We’re just getting a whole bunch all at once,” Lovell said. “Hopefully things slow down and everyone can be a little safer.”