Idaho State Police Join Law Enforcement from Idaho, Oregon and Utah for Enhanced Labor Day Weekend Patrols

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE

Teresa Baker

Public Information Officer

Headquarters

700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642

(208) 884-7122

Fax (208) 884-7087

For Immediate Release: 9/1/16 at 3:45 p.m.

MERIDIAN – As summer winds down Idaho State Police is joining local law enforcement agencies across the state, the Oregon State Police and the Utah Highway Patrol in joint emphasis patrols to ensure all travelers are as safe on the highways as possible.

On Friday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 3rd the Idaho State Police, Oregon State Police, Utah Highway Patrol and local law enforcement in all three states will be participating in "48 Hours of Traffic Safety on I-84." "The purpose of this joint operation is to have a large law enforcement presence on I-84, with the ultimate goal of increasing traffic safety and reducing crashes," said Idaho State Police Sgt. Tyler Jussel, who organized the emphasis patrol.

"We are hoping that the end of the 100 Deadliest Days will not be the end of what has been a tragic summer on Idaho's highways," said Sgt. Jussel. "Law enforcement will be focusing on the areas of traffic safety which are the causes of most of the fatalities we have seen this year. Speed, distracted driving, aggressive driving, impaired driving, failure to buckle up and not using child safety seats are all dangerous driving behaviors and will all catch the attention of troopers, officers and deputies."

There have been 82 people killed on Idaho's roads this summer with a total of 165 since January 1st. Law enforcement is committed to preventing crashes, injuries and deaths and frequently, it is the sight of a patrol car that makes people not only slow down, but obey other traffic laws as well.

Special emphasis will be placed on impaired driving with a statewide Labor Day Impaired Driving Mobilization that began August 26th and will continue through September 5th. The Idaho Transportation Department's Office of Highway Safety is providing grant funds to allow for extra patrols.

The public is encouraged to be a part of the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign and report suspected drunk drivers by dialing 9-1-1 or the Idaho State Police at *ISP (*477) from your mobile phone.

Drivers and passengers are reminded to buckle up and be sure to use a child safety seat properly. Please also remember the following:

– Drive sober

– Be patient with other drivers and give yourself extra time to travel

– Stay alert and get enough sleep before traveling

– Avoid distractions, including cell phones

– Move over when passing emergency vehicles

If you will be traveling in certain highly traveled areas of the state to be extra patient with the traffic and other motorists. You will probably want to plan an extra hour or two into your trip to lessen your stress. Remember, there are several fires still burning throughout the state that can affect travel, as well as construction in other areas and just more people on mountain roads. Call the Idaho Road Report at 5-1-1 to find out if there are restrictions on your planned travel route.

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Posted in District 1 - Northern Idaho, District 2 - Central Idaho, District 3 - Western Idaho, District 4 - Southern Idaho, District 5 - Southeastern Idaho, District 6 - Eastern Idaho