ISP to increase holiday weekend patrols

During this heavily traveled Labor Day weekend, Idaho State Police will be out in full force, making sure travelers obey the laws and celebrate safely.

“I don’t know what it is with holiday travel, but people seem to think that they need to hurry and get to their favorite camping spot first instead of leaving early and taking their time,” said Kris Barnes, ISP Trooper.

Barnes said what officers see a lot of this time of year, is aggressive driving. Tailgating, making unsafe lane changes and speeding can be considered aggressive driving.

“In fact this morning, I checked a car speed at 93 MPH here on US 20 where the speed limit is 65,” said Barnes. “And then the car just after that, I check its speed at 87.”

Barnes said US Highway 20 will see a lot of traffic flow this weekend, as tourists come to visit Yellowstone National Park.

ISP officials said if you’re planning on traveling on Monday, be sure to give yourself plenty of time and remember the three-second rule when a car is in front of you.

“We get congested sometimes with road construction and lanes are shut down,” said Barnes. “Cars need to move over and at the last second, somebody steps on their break to avoid colliding and the car behind them can’t react…and then we have a pile-up.”

ISP is increasing patrols this weekend and all overtime costs are covered by a federal grant.

ISP also wants to remind motorists to obey the “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over when an emergency vehicle or a law enforcement vehicle has its flashing lights turned on.