Idaho Falls Road Safety Overview
Idaho Falls is one of ten cities in the state with over 40,000 residents. Compared to the other large cities in Idaho, it has relatively safe roads. In fact, it had the lowest traffic injury or fatality rate among these cities in 2023.
However, “safe” does not mean perfect. The city still had hundreds of car accidents in Idaho Falls, including many that resulted in injury or death to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Nevertheless, the city’s accident statistics suggest that drivers are reasonably cautious, and your risk of crashing is low.
Idaho Falls Traffic Accidents
Idaho Falls had 389 traffic accidents in 2023. This number was significantly lower than the 485 crashes in 2021 but represented an increase compared to the 377 accidents in 2022. Idaho Falls has a population of roughly 68,000 and ranks as the fifth most populous city in the state. It is one of ten cities with over 40,000 residents.
Among these ten cities, Idaho Falls had the lowest number of total crashes in 2023. Boise, the state’s most populous city, had more than 3,400 car accidents. Other cities with more crashes included Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Rexburg, and Post Falls.
Outcomes of Car Crashes in Idaho Falls
The 389 crashes in 2023 included the following:
- Five fatal collisions
- 172 non-fatal injury crashes
The remaining 212 accidents only caused property damage. This means over 45% of traffic crashes in Idaho Falls that year caused injury or death. Specifically, these collisions caused the following:
- Six fatal injuries
- 247 non-fatal injuries
Idaho’s statistics do not classify these injuries. The state’s accident reports use the KABCO scale to rate injuries at the accident scene. This acronym stands for the following:
- K: A fatal injury
- A: An incapacitating injury that prevents the victim from normal activities
- B: A non-incapacitating injury that is visible
- C: A possible injury that causes complaints but without an evident injury
- O: No injury evident or reported
One way to compare the traffic safety of cities with different populations is to calculate the injury accident rate. In 2023, Idaho Falls had the state’s lowest rate at 2.3 fatal and injury crashes per 1,000 residents. For comparison, Meridian led the state with a fatal or injury crash rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents.
Causes of Idaho Falls Car Collisions
Across the state, the leading causes of car accidents include the following:
Impaired Driving
In Idaho, 22% of fatal crashes were caused by a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol. Intoxicants affect a driver’s judgment, reflexes, and focus. As a result, the driver is less able to identify and respond to traffic and road conditions.
Inattentive and Distracted Driving
Inattentive and distracted driving are the top reasons for injury crashes in Idaho. Distracted driving occurs when a task takes a driver’s hands, mind, or eyes away from driving. Inattentive driving happens when drivers fail to focus their entire attention on driving. Here are some examples of tasks that can lead to inattentive or distracted driving:
- Daydreaming
- Talking
- Writing or reading texts
- Adjusting your stereo
- Eating or drinking
Distracted drivers, like impaired drivers, cannot spot or respond to changing conditions, such as traffic slowing ahead of them.
Failing To Yield the Right of Way
Most intersection collisions happen when a driver fails to yield the right of way. The right-of-way rules determine which driver can proceed while the others must wait.
Driving Safely in Idaho Falls
Statistically, Idaho Falls is the safest large city in the state. However, despite its good traffic crash record, you can improve your odds of avoiding a crash by driving sober, exercising caution at intersections, and paying attention to the road. Knowing the risks and taking proper precautions can help you navigate Idaho Falls, ID, safely.