When most people think of Idaho, their minds are drawn to what they see on the license plates of Idaho drivers – usually, famous potatoes. It remains a mystery as to why the Idaho transportation department chose such a benign symbol to advertise such a pristine state, but there is no denying that driving in Idaho remains well-kept secret. From luscious river valleys and jagged peaks to the occasional Sasquatch sighting, driving in Idaho may not be like you’d imagine.
Natural Wonders and Scenic Byways
Idaho boasts an impressive of array of ecosystems. In fact, the state is replete with dozens of scenic byways. You can marvel at the rugged Sawtooth mountains from one of the nation’s highest deserts, or, if lower elevations suit your fancy, head over to Hell’s canyon for a view into North America’s deepest river gorge. That’s right, Grand Canyon – Idaho has you beat.
Safety Comes First – Regardless of Location
Open roads with fewer drivers are usually safer – right? In Idaho, roughly 40% of fatal car accidents happened in rural areas, on less-populated roads. Over 50% percent of these resulted from aggressive, impaired, or distracted driving. So, while you’re staring glassy-eyed at Idaho’s countryside vistas, remember that the road still demands more of your attention.
Lax Laws, Fewer Tickets
Many states have opted into traffic laws that cite drivers distracted by eating, phone calls, and even dashboard GPS. Idaho is an exception. Texting while driving is the only distraction that will allow the cops to put a dent in your bank account here. For your own safety, though, its best to keep distractions at bay.
Bigfoot Crossings?
Recently, a car accident was reported to the police in Northern Idaho. Though the 50-year old female driver said she’d hit a deer, she reported the cause as something far different; a Sasquatch crossing the road in her rear-view mirror. While a little odd, many support her claims, with the popular outlet Fox News even running a story on the incident.
You Can’t Drive Everywhere
Idaho has the largest network of road-less forest in the contiguous 48 states, which makes it the home of the last largely pristine forest ecosystem in the US. So, as interesting as it is to traverse the state by car, its good to remember that much of the state is inaccessible to things that don’t walk on two or four legs.
References
http://www.iexplore.com/destinations/idaho/experiences/idaho/articles/scenic-drives-idaho
https://www.daveabels.com/car-accidents.html
https://www.hanseninjurylawfirm.com/2016/01/21/distracted-driving-idaho-can-happen/