Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Crashes by Make in Idaho

Over 200 people die on Idaho’s roads in a typical year. Idaho traffic fatalities trended downward for many decades. But they’ve been on the rise again since 2015. Police blame distracted driving in large part for the trend reversal.

Too many drivers, they say, are diverting their attention from the road to text or make phone calls.

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Fatal Car Accidents in Idaho

– Most Fatal Accidents are Preventable

Sadly, most fatal car accidents are preventable. When you dig into the details of a fatal crash, you’ll usually find that at least one driver involved was distracted, intoxicated, driving too fast for conditions, or carelessly operating their vehicle in some way.

In September 2016, a truck driver from Minnesota was headed northbound on U.S. Highway 95 near Grangeville, Idaho.

He rounded a curve at a high rate of speed, lost control, and crossed the double yellow line. A southbound SUV collided head-on with the semi. The SUV’s driver, despite wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene. The truck driver was charged with vehicular homicide.

A subsequent police investigation indicated that the truck driver’s speed not only exceeded the limit but was reckless for conditions. Had he negotiated the turn at a reasonable speed, the SUV driver would be alive today.

– Two Types of Fatal Accidents

When someone dies from car accident injuries, it happens in one of two ways. It’s either a sudden death or an eventual death.

A sudden death accident results when someone dies at the scene of the crash. The SUV driver’s death in the example above was sudden. The impact of the accident was so severe that the driver succumbed to their injuries right away.

In an eventual death fatal car accident, a person dies at a later date from injuries sustained in the crash. The amount of time that elapses in between can be days, weeks, even months.

An accident victim might seem fine after the crash. But many internal injuries, such as brain trauma and internal bleeding, can take a while to manifest. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention after a car accident even if you feel you don’t need it.

Distracted Driving in Idaho

Distracted driving is a contributing factor in many car accidents. Unfortunately, too many drivers seem to think it can’t happen to them. A 2011 survey revealed that 69 percent of U.S. drivers talk on the phone while driving, and perhaps worse, 31 percent send and receive texts.

You might think it’s fine to look away from the road for just a second or two. But consider this: the max speed limit on Idaho’s interstates is 80 miles per hour.

At that speed, it takes less than three seconds to travel 100 yards. Think about how long it takes to send or read a text, and how far you’re traveling blind when you look away from the road to do so. It’s a scary thought.

– Distracted Driving and Fatal Accidents

Distracted driving has been a contributing factor in at least one in 10 fatal car accidents nationwide since 2014.

Roughly 40,000 people per year have died in car accidents in the United States since 2007. So it stands to reason that, at the bare minimum, 4,000 or more yearly deaths could be prevented by putting a stop to distracted driving.

– Three Types of Distracted Driving

There are three common ways in which drivers get distracted on the road. It’s important to understand the differences between visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.

• Visual distractions – These are distractions that take your eyes off the road. You might be examining the contents of your fast food bag to make sure they gave you the right condiments. Maybe you’re rummaging through your purse in search of your lipstick. Or, perhaps most commonly, you’re reading or sending a text message on your smartphone.
• Manual distractions – These distractions cause you to take your hands off the steering wheel. A common example is reaching around to the back seat to discipline a recalcitrant child. Fiddling with the stereo represents another manual distraction. Punching numbers into a cell phone also requires the use of one or both hands.
• Cognitive distractions – These distractions affect your mental focus. They involve concentrating on something else to the point where you’re not paying attention to your driving. Replaying in your mind an unpleasant conversation with your boss, engaging in a spirited debate with a passenger, or worrying about an upcoming school exam are great examples of this.

A big reason texting and driving is so dangerous is because it fits into all three categories. It takes your eyes, your hands, and your mind off the task of driving.

– Distracted Driving Tragedies

Distracted driving has had deadly results in Idaho. A particularly gut-wrenching incident occurred in 2012. A Utah State University student was driving her car near Mountain Home, Idaho. She was only 18 years old.

Traveling at 90 miles per hour, she slammed into a tanker truck. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Subsequent investigation revealed the student was sending and receiving texts and posting on Facebook. The combination of excessive speed and distracted driving took this college student’s life at only 18 years old.

Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes in Idaho

(Click here for interactive chart)

Fatal traffic accidents in Idaho also vary by car make. Sheer numbers explain much of the variance. As you might expect, the most popular cars have the most crashes, as there are more of those cars on the road.

But other factors, such as recalls and product defects, make some cars more susceptible than others to fatal crashes.

#10 – Datsun/Nissan

Established: December 26, 1933
Vehicles Involved: 6

Nissan started in 1933. The company sold cars under the Datsun name for most of the 20th century. By the mid-1980s, the company had mostly phased out Datsun for the Nissan name. The brand’s most popular vehicle is the Altima mid-sized sedan.

It also produces SUVs, such as the Rogue, and pick-up trucks, such as the Titan. In 2016, the company recalled 3.2 million vehicles for airbag deployment problems. Nissan has six vehicles involved in fatal Idaho car accidents annually.

#9 – Subaru

Established: July 15, 1953
Vehicles Involved: 7

Established in 1953, Subaru is known for quality and is popular among outdoor types. Its all-wheel-drive Outback, the company’s most popular vehicle, can handle many terrains.

Subaru’s cars have a strong history of being free of problems. But a 2016 recall affected about 50,000 Outback and Legacy model cars. The manufacturer recalled these vehicles due to potential steering column failure. Seven Subaru vehicles were involved in deadly Idaho crashes.

#8 – Pontiac

Established: 1926
Vehicles Involved: 8

Pontiac existed from 1926 until 2010. Unfortunately, the General Motors line did not survive the company’s woes during the financial crisis.

In better days, Pontiac emerged as GM’s performance line. Its vehicles were more luxurious than Chevrolets but less so than Cadillacs. It had eight vehicles involved in Idaho car accidents with fatalities.

#7 – Suzuki

Established: October 15, 1896
Vehicles Involved: 9

Suzuki, founded in 1896, is the world’s ninth-biggest automaker. The company is perhaps best known for its motorcycles and recreational vehicles.

But it also produces an assortment of cars and SUVs. Many of its vehicles come off the same assembly lines as GM cars. In 2014, it recalled over 180,000 GM-built cars due to fire risk. Nine Suzuki vehicles were involved in fatal Idaho crashes.

#6 – Honda

Established: September 24, 1948
Vehicles Involved: 10

Honda is the eighth-biggest car company in the world and third-biggest Japanese car manufacturer, behind Toyota and Nissan.

The company’s Accord and Civic models have been highly popular for decades.

In early 2017, the company had a huge recall of over 750,000 vehicles due to faulty airbags. Some of the affected vehicles were part of the company’s luxury Acura line. Honda had 10 vehicles in deadly Idaho car crashes.

#5 – GMC

Established: July 22, 1911
Vehicles Involved: 12

GMC, which started in 1911, is a division of General Motors that specializes in trucks and SUVs. The company also features a commercial line of heavy-duty trucks.

Several GMC models were part of the massive 2016 GM recall for an airbag defect that caused at least one death. The company had 12 vehicles involved in Idaho car accidents that resulted in fatalities.

#4 – Dodge

Established: 1900
Vehicles Involved: 22

Dodge was part of the legendary Chrysler corporation that is now owned by Italian automaker FIAT. It produces everything from everyday sedans to muscle cars to pick-up trucks, including its popular Ram model. Dodge’s most recent recall was in 2017.

The company recalled about 300 Chargers, a performance sedan, for loose bolts. Dodge had 22 vehicles involved in deadly car accidents in Idaho.

#3 – Toyota

Established: August 28, 1937
Vehicles Involved: 28

Toyota, established in 1937 and headquartered in Japan, is the world’s second-largest automaker, trailing only Volkswagen.

It’s also the ninth-largest company in the world in any industry. Toyota is known for reliability and producing cars that last for many miles.

But like all automakers, it has faced challenges from time to time. In 2009, Toyota agreed to a $1.2 billion settlement over a stuck accelerator issue that resulted in several deaths. The company had 28 vehicles in fatal Idaho car accidents.

#2 – Chevrolet

Established: November 3, 1911
Vehicles Involved: 36

Chevrolet, commonly known as Chevy, is General Motors’ most popular line of vehicles. It makes the classic Corvette and Camaro sports cars. Chevy trucks, such as the Silverado, are also immensely popular in the United States.

The company had its struggles during the last recession, when General Motors required a government bailout to remain solvent, but is financially sound as of 2017.

Mostly due to the sheer number of Chevrolets on the road in the Mountain West, the company had 36 vehicles involved in fatal Idaho crashes, taking the number two spot.

#1 – Ford

Established: June 16, 1903
Vehicles Involved: 45

Ford makes the top-selling vehicle in the United States: the F-series truck. And there isn’t a close second. In 2016, the company sold over 820,000 F-series, far outpacing the second-best seller, the Chevy Silverado, at 574,000 sales.

Ford trucks are even more popular in Idaho, where pick-ups reign supreme. So it stands to reason that with so many Ford vehicles on the road, simple math dictates they’ll be involved in the most crashes. Indeed, that is the case, with 45 Fords involved in fatal Idaho car accidents.

Tips for Avoiding Fatal Accidents

You can reduce your chances of involvement in a fatal auto accident by doing the following:

• Obeying all traffic laws
• Remaining attentive and avoiding distractions
• NEVER driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Wearing a seatbelt and ensuring your airbag is in working order
• Servicing your car regularly, in particular rotating and changing your tires when needed
• Keeping a safe following distance behind other vehicles
• Adjusting your speed when road or weather conditions change for the worse

Comparison Shop for the Right Coverage

By shopping around and comparing offers side by side, you can ensure you always have the best auto insurance coverage. Here are some things to keep in mind:

– Review Your Policy Every Six Months

Otherwise, you don’t know if you could be getting a better deal than you got six months ago. Perhaps your driving record improves, or maybe a competitor rolls out a new policy that offers more coverage for the same price. You owe to yourself to see what’s out there.

– Compare Three or Four Policies

Even if the first quote you receive sounds great, make sure you compare it with other offers. There might be something better available. You don’t want to miss out on it by settling for the first offer.

– Don’t Make Price Your Only Consideration

The cheapest auto insurance policy isn’t always the best one. There are other things to consider besides price. Does the policy offer enough coverage?

How’s the customer service? Will you have a dedicated agent you can call in an emergency? How will an accident or ticket affect your premiums? These are all questions to consider before basing your decision solely on price.

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