More reckless driving at Higgens Point

Sheriff: Emphasis patrols planned for area

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is planning to increase patrols at Higgens Point following more reports of increased reckless driving in the area.

On Thursday evening, 20 to 40 cars were reported to be headed toward Higgens Point, “where we have had recent issues with drag racing and reckless driving,” KCSO posted.

While deputies were en route to the area, a detective arrived and observed multiple vehicles drag racing through the parking lot, some going the wrong way through the parking lot at speeds reaching 80 mph, KCSO said.

Additional callers reported reckless driving in the area. Deputies stopped two vehicles identified by the detective as two of the main perpetrators and they were cited for reckless driving.

Additional vehicle descriptions were relayed to Coeur d’Alene police and those vehicles were intercepted driving back toward the city.

Several additional folks gathered in the area were warned of the dangers of reckless driving and racing and advised that Higgens Point would be a point of emphasis moving forward due to these issues.

Even during the coronavirus restrictions, drivers gathered, some in tricked-out vehicles, at Higgens Point occasionally to socialize and do a little showing off by burning out and leaving long stretches of black. While heading there, it was common for drivers to go well beyond the 45 mph speed limit around the lake.

One man who regularly walks the Centennial Trail and lives nearby said traffic has become worse on Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.

“Way too crazy and fast, the driving, with the double line,” he said. “It’s a drag strip. It looks like NASCAR with all the speeding they do.”