Traffic Briefs

• Sheriff's deputies target impaired drivers

With July 4 festivities rapidly approaching, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office will be making a concerted effort to stop drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs.

According to a press release from the sheriff's office, from June 28 to July 5, deputies will be conducting emphasis patrols at various locations around the county. These patrols are intended to "strictly enforce impaired driver laws to help reduce the number of injury accidents."

The goal of the emphasis, the release states, is to support the statewide highway safety goal of reducing motor vehicle-related deaths and serious injuries by increasing awareness and compliance by strict enforcement of impaired driving laws.

The emphasis is sponsored by the Idaho Transportation Department, Office of Highway Operations and Safety and is part of the "Toward Zero Deaths" program.

• Idaho interstate speed increases delayed

BOISE (AP) - The Idaho Transportation Department says planned increases of 75 to 80 mph on some portions of interstates in Idaho are being delayed.

The agency in a statement on Friday said it wants to review comments since it announced earlier this week the increased speed limits.

The increases initially were planned to start Tuesday.

But the agency said it will present its review of speed studies and crash analysis to the Idaho Transportation Board on July 11.

Chief Operations Officer Jim Carpenter said the delay will allow a thoughtful review and ensure safety.

Lawmakers approved the increases earlier this year.