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Earlier this month, Idaho took a leap forward in making its streets safer. On April 5, Governor Otter approved distracted driving legislation that prohibits texting while driving. This measure makes Idaho the 37th state to enact such distracted driving legislation.

According to the Idaho Transportation Department, distracted driving contributed to 192 fatalities and 1,534 injuries in Idaho from 2008 to 2010. In the past several years, the Idaho state legislature has introduced distracted driving bills but had failed to pass them.

Cynthia Gibson of the Idaho Pedestrian & Bicycle Alliance cites that, in addition to keeping members informed at every step in the legislative process, forming partnerships with non-biking/walking organizations was a key to success. “We met with organizations who want safer streets,” said Gibson, “including AAA, the Mayor’s Youth Task Force, and insurance companies.”

With the passage of this law, Gibson says Idaho Pedestrian & Bicycle Alliance can begin to focus on its other campaigns. “Our next focus is finding local examples of economic benefits of biking and walking,” she said. “We would use this information at the city and state level.”

According to Vermont’s Local Motion, the Vermont Legislature just passed two critical roadway safety bills this session and plans to remove mountain bike trails in Essex were halted.

According to Local Motion:
“1) Ban on Texting While Driving (S.280)

The VT House and Senate put aside their differences and agreed to a bill that bans texting for all drivers and also bans cell phone use by teenage drivers. The Governor indicated he would sign the bill. Thank you Local Motion members who responded to our advocacy call! Thanks also to Senator Mazza for seeing this through. Free Press Coverage

2) Safe Passing Bill (H.540)

Thanks to the tremendous leadership of Nancy Schulz and Judy Bond of the VT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition, the Legislature passed a bill clarifying how motorists must pass walkers, cyclists and other “vulnerable roadway users” and also prohibiting motorists from threatening behavoir towards walkers and cyclists. Read the final bill language here. If you appreciate this work, please consider joining the VT Bike/Pedestrian Coalition.

3) Saxon Hill Mtn Bike Trails Spared…For Now

Thanks to the leadership of Fellowship of the Wheel, Chittenden County’s mountain biking club, over 100 people turned out to a public forum where the Town of Essex was considering a development proposal that would have removed nearly all mountain biking trails from Saxon Hill. The next day the developer withdrew the project’s plans.”

Learn more about Local Motion.

Learn more about the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition.