Rules of the Road: Idaho Traffic LawsDo You Know What’s Legal and Illegal?

BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS

Why do drivers need to know and understand pedestrian and bicycle laws?

Pedestrians in Crosswalks

Crossing Where you Shouldn’t

“Jaywalking”

Blind Pedestrians

Drivers Crossing a Sidewalk

Hitchhiking

“Pumping” or “Pegging”

“Hooky Bobbing”Is it Illegal to Pull someone behind a Motorized Vehicle?

» Oldtown girl killed when tubing behind car » By: DAVE TURNER

12/19/2000

An 11-year-old Oldtown girl was killed early Sunday night when the towed inner tube she was riding was struck by an oncoming pickup.

OLDTOWN — An 11-year-old Oldtown girl was killed early Sunday night when the towed inner tube she was riding was struck by an oncoming pickup.» The Idaho State Police said Mariah Noelle Mathia was killed instantly when the tube — which was being pulled behind a car driven by Christopher S.

Mathia — whipped into the path of the pickup about 6 p.m. She struck the bumper and slid under the truck, authorities said.» Two of the three other girls on the towed inner tubes were also injured in the crash along snow-covered Rena Road, just west of Highway 41.» The ISP said Jennifer L. Daugherty, 16, also of Oldtown, was riding on the same tube as Mathia. She was airlifted to a Spokane hospital with broken legs,

a broken pelvis and internal injuries. She was listed in satisfactory condition Monday at Sacred Heart Medical Center.» Mathia's sister, Shaena K. Mathia, 18, was treated and released at Newport Community Hospital.

A fourth girl, Patrica K. Crook of Spirit Lake, fell off the tube she and Shaena Mathia were riding before the crash and was not injured.» The ISP said the girls were being pulled behind a 1994 Volvo stationwagon, driven by Christopher S. Mathia, 16, also of Oldtown. Troopers said he was

eastbound on Rena Road and was slowing to round a right-hand turn a when he stopped abruptly after seeing the 1985 Ford, driven by Nicky J. Martin, 22, of Priest River.

» When Mathia hit the brakes, the tubes slid around the left side of the car and into the path of the pickup.Neither driver was injured.

» According to Bonner County Sheriff Chip Roos, towing inner tubes, also known as "hooky-bobbing" on maintained roads is illegal.» "It's a dangerous thing," Roos said. Because there was a fatality involved, the teen-age driver could be facing felony manslaughter charges. Normally,

it's a non-moving driving infraction.» Sheriff's Sgt. Gary Johnston said deputies get at least a couple dozen complaints of hooky-bobbers throughout the county each winter.» "But when we get out to the scene, they're usually gone," Johnston said.» The dead girl turned 11 on Nov. 29.

Bikes Stopping

Hitting an Unattended Vehicle

When to Call Cops

>$1,500(and/or injury or death)

Fatality = blood test

You must stop:» Before a stop line or crosswalk.» If there are no lines, stop before entering the intersection.» For any red light or sign, flashing or solid.» For a pedestrian crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.» At a railway crossing when a train is coming or when train signals, gates, or signs

indicate an approaching train.» When entering a street from an alley, building, driveway, or private road. » At the request of any police officer.» For emergency or police vehicles sounding a siren or flashing red or blue lights. » For a school bus that is loading or unloading students or has it’s stop sign out or

flashing lights on. You must stop for a school bus on a road with less then four total lanes.

» When involved in a wreck.

Stopping

Speed Limits» The Basic Rule: No matter what the posted speed, you must

judge the situation and conditions and adjust your speed accordingly.

» The maximum speed on a freeway is 75mph, 65mph on a highway, and 35mph on city streets (unless posted otherwise).

» It is illegal to drive so slowly that you disrupt the normal flow of traffic.

» Observe posted speeds in school and construction zones to protect students and workers (penalties are higher in these areas).

To “yield” means to let another vehicle or pedestrian go first.

You must yield:• When there is a yield sign.

• When entering a street from an alley, driveway, or garage after stopping.

• At four way stops. • At an unmarked or uncontrolled intersection.

• When stopped for cross traffic.

• Yield when making a left turn. Always yield to oncoming traffic.

• In school or construction zones.

• For emergency vehicles. Move to the right and stop.

• To faster traffic. The law requires that you stay to the right when possible.

No Parking ZonesOn sidewalks

On the street-side of any other parked vehicle (double parking)In intersectionsWithin 50 feet of railroad tracksOn bridges or overpassesIn front of a drivewayWithin 15’ of a fire hydrantWithin 20’ of a crosswalk

Within 30’ of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signalWithin 20’ of a fire station driveway

On a freewayWhere prohibited by signs or a red, yellow, or white “no parking” curb.

In a handicapped parking space

Fact About Signaling & Turning» You must signal when turning at an intersection or into a

driveway!» You must signal when changing lanes.» You must signal when entering or leaving the freeway.» You must signal when pulling toward or away from the curb.» You must signal 100 feet (about 5 seconds) before turning.» In Idaho, you may turn right on a red light, after stopping.» In Idaho, you may turn left on a red light, after stopping, and if

turning onto a one-way street.

Other Laws You Need to Know!

» Headlights must be lighted from sunset to sunrise or when visibility is poor.

» You must dim your brights 500’ before meeting and 200’ before overtaking another vehicle.

» It is illegal to engage in any vehicle race, exhibit of speed, or speed contest on any public road, street, or highway.

» Windows and windshields must be kept clean and free of stickers, signs, posters, except those required by law.

» When a load extends 4’ or more out the back, a red flag must be attached to the load.

» It is illegal to drive recklessly or inattentively.

Open Range Law

The animals have the RIGHT OF WAY!

TEXTING AND DRIVING» Since July 1, 2012, it is illegal to text while driving in

Idaho.» “Texting” means, “engaging in the review of, or

manual preparation and transmission of, written communication via handheld wireless devices.”

ASSIGNMENT #1» You and a partner will be given one or more statutes

that explain an Idaho traffic law. » Read and discuss the statutes with your partner or

group.» Put the statutes into your own words (paraphrase)

and write that down on your Notes page.» Read your original statute(s) to the class and then

your paraphrase(s).» Ask the class if they have questions and discuss.

Group Discussion

CONTROVERSIAL LAWS» Unbelted passengers in the bed of trucks.» Helmets only required for those under 21.» Cell phones/distracted driving.» Seatbelt law

˃ A “secondary law” in Idaho instead of “primary”˃ $10 ticket for adults˃ $ ticket for teens

» Speed limit˃ Is 5 mph over allowed?

» Bicycles don’t have to stop at stop signs.» Open Range Law

˃ We have to pay for hitting a cow in the road?

Assignment #2: DEBATE

» 6 students will be the jury» ½ of the remaining students will argue FOR on each topic.» The other ½ of the remaining students will argue AGAINST each topic.» As a group, discuss each topic below for 2 minutes each. Choose a different

speaker for each topic.» Each side will get 60 seconds per topic for their speaker to argue their case. The

opposing side cannot interrupt during arguments.» The jury will vote for which side had the most convincing argument for each topic.

1. Passengers should/should not be able to ride in the back of truck beds.2. Helmets should/should not be required for all motorcycle riders.3. There should/should not be laws against cell phones and driving.4. Seatbelts should/should not be required or should/should not be a primary law.5. Drivers should/should not be able to drive over the posted speed limit.6. Bicycles should/should not have to stop at stop signs if not traffic is present.

RULES

TOPICS:

On the road, you won’t likely get a do-over!

» Knowing the Rules of the Road will keep you safe and away from legal troubles.

» Knowing the Rules of the Road will give you the confidence to do the safe and right thing in all traffic situations.