COEUR d'ALENE - Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial launch of summer, but area law enforcement and transportation officials say it is also one of the most dangerous holidays of the year.

Orville "Shorty" Drapeau, and his wife, Ethel, found that out the hard way Friday morning as they left for a holiday camping trip up Latour Creek.

Drapeau said everything was fine until he crested the hill on Interstate 90 just past the Mullan Trail Road exit.

"It just started fish-tailing," he said. "I almost got it under control, but then the trailer hit the guardrail and flipped."

Drapeau said the next thing he knew his truck was sliding backward down the freeway. Both he and his wife were uninjured, but truck and trailer wound up a twisted mess in the eastbound lanes of I-90.

Walter Bauer, who was in Coeur d'Alene looking for property, was following behind Drapeau with Realtor Kevin Bennett. He said the wreck was surreal.

"I really thought he was going to correct it, but then the trailer slammed into the guardrail and just flipped it right over," Bauer said, adding it was amazing that no one got hurt.

That's not always the case on Memorial Day weekend, according to Idaho State Police.

During Memorial Day weekend in 2013, there were 137 crashes on Idaho roads, with 79 people injured and 2 fatalities, according to ISP.

The Idaho Transportation Department also reported this week that the 100 days between the Memorial and Labor Day holidays is the deadliest time for crashes on Idaho roads.

The increase in crashes comes despite the fact that driving and road conditions are often at their best.

"The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day represent 28 percent of the days in the year, yet in 2012, those days accounted for 40 percent of fatal crashes," said Josephine O'Connor from the Office of Highway Safety.

With temperatures forecast in the mid-70s this weekend, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office issued a release to remind people of some typical hazards and safety tips.

According to the KCSO, water temperatures are in the low 50s and there is still a significant amount of spring runoff occurring which makes water activities a risk due to moving debris as well as low water levels in some areas of the Spokane River above the dam.

Below the dam on the Spokane River, the flow is still averaging near 19,000 cubic feet per second, which is very dangerous for inexperienced recreators.

Additionally, the release stated, enthusiasts traveling into the backcountry should be aware there is still snow in the higher or shaded areas, as well as fallen trees and other hazards leftover from winter.

Some suggested safety tips include letting people know where you are going and when you will return. Take sufficient gear and supplies in case you do become stranded or lost.

"If you are recreating on the water, wear your lifejacket," the release said. "Whatever the activity, if you choose to drink alcohol, please be responsible."

ISP reported last Memorial Day weekend there were 17 crashes in Idaho where alcohol or drugs were involved.

"Every day, nearly 30 people in the U.S. die in a motor-vehicle crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver," the release said. "Designate a driver before anybody in your party drinks."

ISP also warned that the "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement mobilization will be strictly enforced around the clock through June 1. ISP is working with local law enforcement officers on this emphasis patrol.

Drivers with children are also reminded to make sure all children are in age-appropriate safety seats and children younger than 12 are in the back seat.

In 2013 during Memorial Day weekend, ISP said distracted driving was the cause of 33 crashes, and drowsiness was a factor in eight crashes.

"Get enough sleep before driving and avoid distractions such as cellphones," ISP suggests. "This will help assure that your attention is focused on the road."

According to AAA Idaho, the first holiday weekend of the summer travel season is expected to attract 36.1 million drivers hoping to get away from it all.

Memorial Day 2014 is expected to draw the second-most holiday travelers since 2000, and the highest auto travel volume since 2005, with 11 percent of the population traveling 50 miles from home.

While the increase in Idaho isn't huge compared to last year, highways and roads will be busy as some 153,000 Idahoans are expected to travel.

Gas prices are not expected to have a significant impact on holiday travel. Idaho's gas prices are slightly lower than the national average and lower than each of the three prior Memorial holiday periods.