Three counties reported zero traffic fatalities in 2014
Despite an uptick in the average number of fatal car accidents across Idaho, three counties are on a good streak. Clark, Madison, and Teton counties all recorded zero traffic fatalities in 2014. So far none have reported any fatal accidents for 2015 either.
That’s why the Idaho Transportation Board met with representatives from two of the three counties in Rigby (Teton Co. wasn’t represented at the event), and Idaho State Police to present certificates of achievement.
John Tomlinson of the ITD said the counties achieved the goal of zero fatalities through a lot of cooperation and communication with the transportation department. “It’s the campaigns, it’s the promotion of safety, it’s coming up with new designs, new safety features on the roads,” said Tomlinson.
Madison County in particular is on a good streak with over three years of zero car related fatalities. “We get funding from ITD for overtime grants,” said Captain Cameron Stanford of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “So we’re able to send officers out to do several kinds of grants, like seat belt grants, or DUI grants.”
Clark County’s achievement is also notable considering the county only has three members of it’s sheriff’s department and long stretches of interstate to cover. Sheriff Bart May says the grants have been a huge help in helping pay for extra man-hours, and said new safety features like rumble strips and guard rails along 1-15 have made a difference.