Free winter riding lessons are offered in Idaho Falls and Chubbuck

IDAHO FALLS – Multiple organizations are teaming up this November to offer free winter driving safety classes to the community in advance of adverse weather conditions.

“Every year we see people having accidents, especially early in the winter, and this is a way to teach young drivers, new drivers and people new to the area how to handle snow driving,” said one spokesman for the Idaho Transportation Department. Justin Smith.

ITD, the Idaho State Police and Chubbuck and Bonneville County law enforcement agencies are working together to teach the lessons, which will take place in a classroom setting.

Two are offered at the following locations:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Smith said this is the first time they are bringing the classes to southeastern Idaho. They have seen a successful response with courses offered in the Coeur d’Alene region and expect this to be similar in this area.

He told EastIdahoNews.com that ISP will teach some of the lessons and ITD will have snow plow drivers teach another portion.

In the 2023/2024 winter season, 12 snowplows hit drivers across Idaho, Smith said. In the 2022/2023 winter season, 17 snow plows were affected.

“They will talk about strategies for staying on the road, dealing with slips and slides, speed issues and how to drive around a snow plow,” Smith said.

Smith encourages people to register for a seat online as soon as possible by clicking here for the Idaho Falls location and by clicking here for the Chubbuck location as classes are filling up quickly.

He hopes it will be useful and that people will take advantage of this opportunity. It is open to all ages and levels.

“Everyone could use a refresher, even those of us who grew up here, but if you have a young driver this would be a good time for them to get some information before they hit the snow,” added Smith to it.

According to a press release from ITD, participants who attend the course will also receive a certificate of completion and be eligible for a 10% discount on new winter tires at participating Les Schwab Tires locations.