As the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day weekend calls for enjoying the outdoors after a long winter. Summertime barbecues, camping trips, and family vacations make for busier roads and an increase in traffic accidents and fatalities. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 deadliest days.” During that time, fatal car crashes nearly double compared to the rest of the year.
Teen drivers are at higher risk due to their inexperience behind the wheel and developing judgement and risk assessment capabilities. The three most common factors in Idaho motor vehicle crashes are aggressive, distracted, and impaired driving.
Aggressive driving includes behaviors such as: failure to yield right of way, failure to obey a stop sign, exceeding posted speed, driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, and failure to obey a traffic signal. Aggressive driving is a contributing factor in 50% of crashes in Idaho.
Distracted driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention away from the task of driving to focus on another activity. Distracted driving includes: texting or talking on the phone, eating and drinking, using the stereo, entertainment, or navigation system, and talking to people inside the vehicle. The use of electronic devices account for 50% of distracted driving-related fatality crashes.
Impaired driving is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Just over 44% of all fatalities were a result of crashes due to impaired driving.
Portneuf Medical Center is asking everyone to help keep Idaho roads safe this summer.
- Buckle up!
- Pay attention!
- Wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, dirt bike, or bicycle
- Stay off the phone – Do Not Disturb while driving
- Stay rested
- Stay sober
- Obey the speed limit
- Beware in construction zones
For more summer safety information, visit portneuf.org/safe-summer.
As an American College of Surgeons verified level II Trauma Center, we provide world class care to all trauma patients. With highly trained emergency staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we are committed to providing quality care. The number of trauma patients cared for at Portneuf Medical Center has increased yearly for over 10 years, including during the pandemic.
Portneuf Medical Center encourages you to have a safe, healthy and productive summer. Please drive safely, wear your seatbelt, and pay attention. Please encourage others to do the same. The life you save may be your own.
To learn more about our trauma and surgical services, visit Portneuf.org/surgery.