Summer months often bring great excitement with upcoming anticipation for family vacations, holidays and those lazy days of summer. But, did you know that the 100 days between Memorial and Labor Day holiday weekends claim the highest numbers of fatal automobile crashes annually?

The Idaho Falls Police Department is partnering with the Idaho Office of Highway Safety between July 21 and August 4 during the “100 to Zero” campaign to help combat distracted, impaired and aggressive driving.

“We want to do all we can to make our roadways safe,” Idaho Falls Chief of Police Mark McBride said. “There are so many driving behaviors that can be corrected that will reduce the number of crashes within our city.”

Statistically, according to the Office of Highway Safety, a driver is more distracted and more reckless in the summer months compared to the same driver in the winter months.

The Idaho Office of Highway Safety said 85 people died on Idaho’s roadways between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2016.  

Throughout the next couple of weeks, the IFPD will be stepping up patrols – with the assistance of a $5,000 Office of Highway Safety grant –to enforce traffic laws and educate the public on the harms of aggressive, distracted and impaired driving.

Aggressive driving includes ignoring traffic signals, speeding or tailgating, driving too fast for conditions, weaving in and out of traffic, making improper lane changes, making hand and facial gestures, screaming, and honking horns.

Distracted driving, such as eating, drinking, texting or talking on the phone while driving; is another form of aggressive or at-risk driving behavior.

Impaired driving is the act of unlawfully operating a motor-vehicle under the influence of drugs (including prescription medication) or alcohol.

For more information on highway safety, visit www.itd.idaho.gov.