The city of Bonners Ferry is participating in the state’s first Attentive Driving Mobilization to help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. According to the press release, when a driver chose to drive distracted it can result in tragic consequences, especially for more vulnerable road users such as bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. 

This effort is a part of the Idaho Transportation Department Office of Highways Safety’s “Just Drive Aware” campaign that combines education awareness and enforcement of Idaho’s traffic laws that apply to inattentive driving, such as texting and failure-to-maintain lane, which occur when a motorist chooses to not drive attentively.

The Bonners Ferry Police Department is aware that distractions are not limited to cell phones. 

Distractions are visual, manual or cognitive; whatever that takes eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel or mind—visual, manual and cognitive. Including interacting with passengers, applying makeup or eating.

According to the press release, in 2014, there were 4,781 distracted driving traffic crashes which resulted in 39 lives lost, and 3,243 people injured, and 79 percent of fatal distracted driving crashes occurred on rural roadways. During the years 2010-2014, 

Fifty-two percent of the people killed in distracted driving crashes in Idaho were not buckled-up.

The city applies for the grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which subsides the pay for the officers’ overtime to assist in the mobilization. 

BFPD Chief Watson stated, “We want motorist driving around us that are safe. We all expect that everyone is safe and attentive”. Watson also reiterated the importance of being mindful of pedestrians and bicyclists while driving.

If you are a passenger and feel that the driver is distracted, do not hesitate to speak up. 

Your life is just as valuable.

“Bonners Ferry Police Department believes that people’s traffic safety behaviors can change through education, awareness, and high-visibility enforcement, bringing us towards zero deaths on Idaho roadways,” said Chief Vic Watson.