After two fatal crashes occurred on Highway 95 in Bonner County last week, Selkirk Fire, Rescue & EMS Chief Jeff Armstrong encouraged residents to drive carefully. 

According to Idaho State Police, a motorist died in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 95 north of Sandpoint late March 9 or early March 10. On March 14, an Athol resident died in a head-on collision with a semi-truck on Highway 95 near Samuels. 

Northside Fire District personnel responded to the latter incident, along with responders from Sandpoint Fire Department, Bonner County Emergency Management and Idaho State Police. 

“While it is not our role to determine cause or conditions that contribute to traffic accidents, we would urge folks to use more caution on our area highways,” Armstrong stated in a March 16 Facebook post.

Armstrong recommended motorists control their speed, avoid using a cell phone behind the wheel, ensure their tires are in good condition and drive defensively.

“As we head into our next tourism season, more and more folks will be visiting our area who may not be familiar with our roads,” he added.

Data indicate that across Idaho, a motorist involved in a crash on a state or U.S. highway is more likely to be part of a fatal accident than one who crashes on a local road or an interstate. 

From 2021 to 2023, 2.4% of all crashes in Idaho occurred in Bonner County. For the same period, the county hosted 3.8% of the state's fatal vehicle accidents. 

Idaho Transportation Department estimated that in 2023, the total economic cost of the state’s 27,679 crashes was $5.96 billion. 

Safety has been one of the driving forces behind ITD’s recent initiative to expand a 6-mile section of Highway 95 south of Sandpoint from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway. 

The department estimates that traffic in the sector — which encompasses Sagle — will increase by 64% between 2022 and 2045. On the project’s website, ITD staff reported in 2024 that the corridor had seen 150 crashes in the last two years, including three fatal accidents. 

ITD is still developing a plan for the proposed improvements. Before construction begins, the department will need to complete an environmental reevaluation, secure funding, finalize the design and purchase the necessary right of way. 

ITD has also indicated interest in expanding the Long Bridge and a section of the highway near Westmond and Cocolalla in the future.