WATCH: State trooper’s quick thinking avoids head-on collision with distracted semi driver
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GOODING — Dash camera video captured an Idaho State Police trooper’s quick thinking that ultimately prevented a head-on collision with a semi truck Wednesday.
The video shows a trooper driving on U.S Highway 26 between Gooding and Shoshone through rain and fog around 9 a.m. In the distance, a white semi truck is seen driving toward the trooper as the truck overtakes a semi.
The trooper is forced to pull over in order to avoid a head-on crash with the semi.
According to an ISP tweet, the driver of the white semi truck was distracted when completing the pass.
Luckily, the ISP Trooper was able to avoid this head-on crash. The driver was “distracted” while passing! #PhonesDownEyesUp #DriveWellIdaho #IdahoStatePolice pic.twitter.com/dNJclIPAy9
— Idaho State Police (@ISPDistrict4) March 4, 2019
ISP Lt. Chris Weadick tells EastIdahoNews.com incidents like these are preventable.
“The bottom line is we target aggressive inattentive type driving and that could’ve easily been a head-on crash if that trooper wouldn’t have taken take evasive action,” Weadick says.
He said drivers using electronic devices in vehicles, being in a hurry or being aggressive puts themselves and others in danger.
“The trooper’s actions were very appropriate by slowing down and pulling over,” Weadick says. “A lot of times drivers will move too quickly and overcorrect, which can also lead to devastating results. The best thing for drivers to do is to slow down and maintain control.”
If you encounter an aggressive or distracted driver while on the road, Weadick says to call 911, give your location and a description of what happened. Law enforcement can then try to track down the unsafe driver.
The driver was arrested for reckless driving, said ISP Spokesman Tim Marsano.