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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — It’s the “most wonderful time of the year,” especially for auto dealers, as exciting commercials featuring new cars with giant bows grace our TV screens, flashing the best deals of the year.

Matthew Conde, Public Affairs Director at AAA Idaho, offers car buying tips as consumers head into the new year.

Conde recommends starting early and taking your time. Getting pre-approval from your financial institution will help you budget effectively.

“There’s depreciation that kicks in the minute you leave the lot. It’s not worth what you paid for it. And that’s just something that’s typical,” Conde said.

Considering the total cost of ownership is another important factor. Depreciation, fuel requirements, higher costs for maintenance and higher insurance premiums should all be factored into the process.

If you plan to take out a car loan, be prepared for mandatory comprehensive insurance. This coverage is typically required by lenders to protect their investment in case the vehicle is damaged. Doing this homework on financing charges and insurance well in advance can save both time and money.

“Keep your options open,” Conde stressed. “Have a few options in mind, rather than having the one and only model, a year and color. Otherwise now you’re sort of captive to what the price is for that vehicle.”

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Thousands of people lose their lives every year to impaired driving, a preventable crisis that has prompted a renewed safety push from AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). 

With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, Public Relations Director for AAA Idaho Matthew Conde announced a partnership with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to increase public awareness and reduce fatalities on the roads. 

Conde emphasized that while 93% of Americans acknowledge that driving while impaired is  dangerous, 7% admitted to having done so in the past 30 days, revealing a gap between public understanding and personal action.

“In this age of technology, we’re asking people, please, use the ride hailing app so you can get a ride from somewhere.” said Conde “If you’re hosting a party, please make sure you have a plan for everybody to either get safely home or have a place to stay overnight. The last thing we want to do is to have a situation where someone feels they have to get behind the wheel for any reason, when they might be impaired.”

This renewed focus comes as Idaho itself continues to see significant impact from impaired driving; in the last year alone, the state recorded 1,700 impaired driving crashes and 86 deaths, figures Conde called a tragedy happening in every community. He praised MADD volunteers as powerful storytellers, stemming from the stories being told by people who have been personally affected.

“If you are hosting those parties, you might start with alcohol, and then you might work your way down towards sodas and lots of snacks and things at the end of the party, so that you’re kind of helping people kind of wind it down so that if they do hit the road, they are sober and able to go home safely.” said Conde. 

The average drunk driver operates a vehicle under the influence 80 times before being apprehended for their first DUI, the issue often stems from a deeper, difficult relationship with alcohol for some individuals. 

MADD and AAA stress the importance of improved technology for detecting alcohol on a person before they can start their vehicle. Until then they will continue to spread awareness until drunk driving accidents become only a memory.

Merry Christmas!

The air might feel different this year, as many stepped outside their front doors to discover freshly green grass and temperatures far above freezing this Christmas morning. Navigating the roads in the Snake River Plain this holiday season has been quite smooth, thanks to mild temperatures that have brought rain to many parts of the region. Today, you can expect longer spells of dry weather, interspersed with a few rain showers.

As we approach “Part 2” of the storm system on Friday and Saturday, temperatures will drop, and snow levels will decrease. This means areas such as Stanley, Ketchum, Island Park, and Driggs, along with all our mountain passes, will begin to see snowfall, which could lead to slick travel conditions.

A winter storm warning and advisory was announced this afternoon by the National Weather Service for the Centennial Mountains and Island Park area. Heavy snow is expected, with total snow accumulations ranging from 5 to 10 inches and winds gusting up to 35 mph. This winter weather advisory is in effect from 2 AM on Friday until 5 AM MST on Saturday. Residents should prepare for slippery roads, as hazardous conditions could significantly affect the Friday morning and evening commutes.

Some light snow is anticipated to reach all valley floors, including the Snake Plain and eastern Magic Valley; however, as indicated in the accompanying graphic, accumulation in these areas is expected to be minimal. Please exercise extra caution when planning travel across the region on Friday and Saturday after Christmas, and check the latest forecasts and road conditions.

Weather conditions are predicted to improve by the weekend, with Sunday expected to bring a pause from rain and snow. While temperatures will gradually cool, the dry weather will provide a much-needed break after several days of unsettled and wet holiday conditions.

Enjoy your holiday, and stay warm!

VICTOR, Idaho (KIFI) — A Victor home narrowly avoided a major catastrophe Monday night, after a nearby pickup truck burst into flames.

Teton County Fire & Rescue was called to the emergency around 9:46 PM on December 22. They arrived at the 8400 block of Red Hawk Trail to find a vehicle with flames coming from its engine compartment and threatening a nearby home.

The crews immediately attacked the fire, first preventing further damage to the home and then directly combating the flames. The fire was fully extinguished within 15 minutes.

While the pickup truck was declared a total loss, the home escaped with only exterior damage. Teton County Fire & Rescue officials credited the favorable outcome to the quick thinking of bystanders who quickly called emergency services. No injuries to civilians or first responders were reported during the incident.