Safety
In Ada and Canyon Counties, 45,826 motor vehicle crashes occurred between 2012 and 2016. Over 4,400 of those resulted in injuries, with 202 fatalities.
Of those crashes…
- 30% were due to aggressive driving
- 19% were due to distracted driving
- 40% occurred at intersections
- 24% involved young drivers, ages 15 – 19
- 2% involved bicycles, accounting for 3% of fatalities
- 1% involved pedestrians, accounting for 12% of fatalities
- 2% involved motorcycles, yet accounted for 17% of fatalities
Those are sobering statistics that COMPASS is working to change.
As a planning organization, COMPASS’ primary “tool” to improve transportation safety is to ensure that safety benefits are a key consideration when selecting projects for federal funding through the Regional Transportation Improvement Program, or “TIP.” The TIP also includes an analysis of how each safety-related project is expected to decrease fatalities and serious injuries. COMPASS also promotes safety through educational events, outreach, and sharing data.
How do we know if we are making a difference? The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has adopted statewide targets for reductions in transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. COMPASS is working with ITD to support these statewide targets. Measuring progress – or lack of progress – toward these targets will inform future decisions on addressing safety issues.
What else is being done to ensure the safety of our transportation system?