Recent deadly accidents have Magic Valley residents concerned about reckless driving behavior
This past week a pedestrian and bicyclist were killed in vehicle collisions
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A recent series of fatal motor vehicle collisions, that have led to two deaths, has some Magic Valley residents concerned about how safe our roads and sidewalks are for pedestrians and bicyclists.
“Oh, it’s grown quite a bit. I can’t say the numbers. I remember when the Pole Line was just a two-lane road,” said Twin Falls Police Patrol Sergeant Lou Coronado
Additionally, he said about 100,000 vehicles use Blue Lakes Boulevard daily, and there has been an increase in reckless driving behavior, partially due to traffic congestion.
“I would say it’s late for work, off work, and hurry to get home. Twin Falls has just grown so much,” Coronado said.
This past week a pedestrian and bicyclist were killed in vehicle collisions. The motorist who killed the pedestrian ran a red light, which for the driver, could lead to a vehicular manslaughter charge, jail time, a stiff fine, and loss of his license. Coronado said the person could potentially be charged with a felony depending on his negligence.
Additionally this past week, the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department had a report of a motorist driving through a Kimberly School District bus stop arm.
“Every school year there is a concern about people paying attention to the school zones doing what they should around school buses,” said Twin Falls School District Community Relations Specialist Eva Craner.
She added so far this school year her district has not seen an increase in incidences, but their schools do have crossing guards, and they provide safety busing.
“So any student that would have to cross major thoroughfare to get to school, there is a bus route available to them,” Craner said.
To help address the issue, Sergeant Coronado said the Twin Falls Police Department is starting a yearlong aggressive driving grant, which will be targeted for weekends.
“Typically those groups are out there racing and driving aggressive, so hopefully we will get those officers out there and target those vehicles,” Coronado said.
In closing, Coronado said vehicles colliding with pedestrians is rare for Twin Falls, and he and others hope we don’t see anymore.
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