Rules of the Road: A look at basic traffic laws to help keep our travels safe in Idaho

NAMPA, Idaho — With the population growing and more cars on the road, here is a refresher on some basic traffic rules and laws here in the Gem State.

KTVB's Tyson White dives into several laws that Idaho drivers need to know before hitting the road.

NO CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING!

Distracted driving is continuing to be a big problem, according to police, including adjusting the radio, eating, and yes, even looking at our phones.

The legislature passed a law in 2020 making the use of a cell phone illegal throughout the state while driving a motor vehicle.

Idaho Code 49-1401A states in part, "a person shall not operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device." https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title49/t49ch14/sect49-1401a/

There are, however, some exceptions for emergency personnel and law enforcement.

According to Nampa Police Traffic Sergeant Doug Harward, technology is helping make this law second nature for drivers.

“The only thing that is allowed by that code is a glance at a map and then immediately put it down or one-touch dial on a cell phone. Those things are allowed, but most cars have Bluetooth in them now, and so we would encourage people to either Bluetooth call, you have voice commands in cars, or if you have to make a phone call, put it on speakerphone, put it up on the visor. You're not touching it, you're not holding it, and you're able to speak safely.” Said Harward.

A violation could lead to a citation and a 75 dollar fine, as well as up to suspension of the driver’s license.

Stay vigilant on the road and be aware of your surroundings while driving.

Save the call if you can until you are safely stopped.

Follow the yellow and white lines.

Yellow lines of any variety separate opposing traffic and dictate when you or opposing traffic may pass.

They are typically seen on two-lane highways, such as Highway 55 through the mountains or Highway 45 south of Nampa.

According to Sergeant Harward:

"A dashed yellow line means crossing or passing on either side; you can successfully pass, but only with a single dashed line, and there are no other additional lines with it. You'll see that sometimes they have a solid line next to it; whichever side of the road that solid line is dictating what side of the road you can safely pass at that time. Otherwise, you're not allowed to pass when you have that solid line." Harward said.

Passing is allowed safely when it is single dashed.

When there are two yellow lines, passing safely is allowed only in the lane with the dashed line next to it.

"A double solid yellow line: the only time you're allowed to turn over, that is generally when there's a break in that line, and that's going to be in an alleyway and/or out of a business. If it is a solid yellow line all the way down and across, you shouldn't be crossing those lines because those are not designed to be crossed, whereas a solid white line is an edge; it's like a wall basically," according to Harward.

The white lines are lane barriers: they separate lanes traveling in the same direction.

A solid white line means you need to stay in that lane, or that is the edge of the roadway.

Median lanes -- the solid yellow with dashes inside- mean that cars may enter, stop, and wait to cross opposing traffic safely or merge with traffic going in the same direction safely.

Here is the Idaho Transportation Department's Driver Handbook: https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/driver_manual.pdf