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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho launches its first emphasis patrol to combat texting and driving

Idaho this month is joining Washington in organizing emphasis patrols to target people who text while driving, and other forms of distracted driving.

Law enforcement officers in the Gem State started their emphasis patrol on Friday and will continue to be on the lookout for distracted drivers through April 11.

In Washington, the distracted driving emphasis, now in its third year, also began on Friday and will continue through April 14.

The patrols in both states coincide with the national Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The Idaho Transportation Department said in 2014 there were 4,781 accidents and 39 deaths attributed to distracted driving in that state.

Half of distracted drivers involved in accidents in Idaho were also not buckled up, according to statistics from 2010 through 2014.

In Washington, there were 35,896 accidents and 117 fatalities in 2013 where distracted driving was a factor.

Washington statistics showed that 538 of those distracted driving accidents and one fatality involved the use of cellphones. The vast majority of accidents attributed to distracted driving in Washington in 2013 involved what the state labels as inattention, the statistics show.

But officials say cellphone use while driving is inherently dangerous.

“Cellphones distract drivers differently than eating a hamburger or putting on makeup,” Angie Ward, Washington Traffic Safety Commission program manager, explained in a news release.

“Holding a phone in your hand takes your hand off the wheel. Reading or entering data into your phone takes your eyes off the road. The biggest problem is that it takes your mind away from the tasks of driving.”

In a separate news release, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said that good driving involves keeping both hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, your mind on driving and your seat belt buckled.

Steve Grant, a spokesman for the Idaho Transportation Department, said officials in that state made a conscious decision to push hard for enforcement of the state’s distracted driving law.

The fine for texting while driving in Idaho is $81.50, but if a driver is also found to be inattentive, the citation could go to $300.

In Washington, the fine is $124 for using a cellphone while driving.

Research out of Michigan showed that one-quarter of teenage drivers admitted to texting once or more every time they drive.

Bike Swap Saturday

The fifth annual Spokane Bike Swap is on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center.

People wanting to sell bikes can deliver them to the consignment check-in on Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Over 50 exhibitors are expected at this popular event on Saturday.

The event costs $5 to get in, but children 12 and younger are admitted free.

Free helmets will be given to children 14 and younger who buy a bike, while supplies last.

Bike registration can be done online at spokanebikeswap.com.

The registration fee is $5. However, children’s bikes priced at $50 or less with 20-inch or smaller rims can be registered for free. An 8 percent consignment fee will be charged against all sold bikes.

More than 900 bikes are expected to be in the bike sales corral.

Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Centennial Trail for trail improvement projects.

WSU highways subject of forum

The Washington State Department of Transportation in Eastern Washington is hosting an online public forum to address concerns about the safety of U.S. Highway 195 and state Highway 26, both of which serve Washington State University.

The interactive town-hall-style meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday on a secure YouTube website at youtube.com/watch?v=15_WjrLEf5g.

Last November, two people were killed in separate fatality accidents – one on each of the highways.

The collisions led to an online petition that was submitted to state officials, said Al Gilson, WSDOT spokesman.

The online forum, which will be a new format for WSDOT, will host representatives from the Transportation Department, Washington State University and the State Patrol.

In addition to the online forum, comments may be submitted to sr26us195@wsdot.wa.gov.

STA taking input on fare hike

Spokane Transit Authority is starting its public comment phase on a proposal to raise fares by as much as 33 percent starting in 2017.

The proposal would raise the cash price at the fare box from $1.50 to $2, including paratransit rides.

The majority of bus riders purchase 31-day passes. The price of those would increase from $45 to $60. The 31-day youth pass would go from $30 to $40.

STA has a policy that riders should pay at least 20 percent of the cost of bus service. Fares currently account for 19 percent of the cost, officials said.

The last fare increases – in 2010 and 2011 – raised the cash price for a bus ride from $1 to $1.50.

Social service agency representatives are being invited to a meeting to discuss the proposal on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. in room 1A of the Downtown Spokane Library.

Other meetings will be scheduled for public input prior to a formal public hearing before the STA board on June 16 at 1:30 p.m. at 1230 W. Boone Ave. A vote could come as early as the board’s July meeting.

For more information, go to spokanetransit.com.

Street closures

In Spokane, Garland Avenue will be closed Monday through Friday from Monroe to Post streets for construction of curb extensions to create a safer environment for pedestrians.

Also, Palouse Highway will be closed from Regal Street at the Target store to Thor Street from April 11 through 15 for construction of a pedestrian refuge island.

Other major city work has led to closures of the Monroe Street hill from Second to Eighth avenues; High Drive and Hatch Road from Scott to Garfield streets; Havana Street from 37th Avenue to Glenrose Road; Pettet Drive beneath the Meenach Bridge and Rowan Avenue from Driscoll Boulevard to “A” Street.