Region Transportation Safety Newsletter, August 2018

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August 2018

Avoid the Ticket and Save Lives - Slow Down

School zone 25 mph: slow for yellow, pull over for blue

Too many lives are lost each year in speeding-related crashes. That is why ODOT is teaming up with law enforcement to target and ticket speeding drivers. Speeding greatly reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Speeding drivers put themselves, their passengers and other drivers at tremendous risk.

Speed limits are designed to protect everyone – drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists – everyone! Driving above the posted speed limit or speeding in bad weather conditions dramatically increases the probability that a motorist will be involved in a crash. Our goal is to save lives, and we’re putting all drivers on alert – the posted speed limit IS THE LAW. No more excuses. When it comes to speeding: Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine.

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Oregon Farm Bureau

Sharing the Road with Farm Equipment

Summer harvest is in full swing which means that farmers often drive their equipment – such as tractors, swathers, combines, and trucks – out on public roads to move between fields. Driving a slow-moving tractor on a highway is legal and often a necessary part of harvest, but it can pose a safety risk without caution, courtesy, and patience.

To help keep both motorists and farmers safe, the Oregon Farm Bureau Health & Safety Committee offers a new one-minute video and a free brochure with important tips on how to share the road safely with farm equipment. It can be surprising just how slow 25 mph is on the highway. A tractor that looks far on the horizon can be directly in front of a fast-moving car within seconds. So slow down, be patient, and use caution when encountering a tractor on the road.

Source: Oregon Farm Bureau

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Spotify logo

ODOT Releases Traffic Jam Playlist

Three freeway lane closures will create major traffic jams this summer so ODOT has prepared a Spotify playlist to help ease the pain of getting stuck in traffic. For sure there are better things to do in life than getting stuck in a traffic jam. Avoid the mess and use BigFixPDX.com to sign up for construction alerts, find travel options, and learn about all the work we’re doing to preserve your roads so they can serve you in the future.

If the traffic gets bad for you, tune in, bob your head, and sing along. It won’t make the traffic go away but it might help you shake those traffic jam blues. You must have a Spotify account to access the playlist. Find it at Gridlock Grooves. Remember to cue up the playlist before you start driving, not after. Distracted driving can cause a crash and bring a hefty fine.

Drive with caution. Kids in motion.

Kids in Motion During Back-to-School

Oregon Safe Routes to School helps create safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to walk, bike, and roll to and from school. Kids that walk and bike to school are healthier, happier, and often do better in school. Safe Routes to School programs are located throughout Oregon. Check out the latest news from Eugene-Springfield Safe Routes to School where they taught thousands of students pedestrian and bike safety education this year. And with nicer weather comes more feet on the street. So remember, slow down in school zones and keep a sharp eye out for kids.

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Apply for Safe Routes to School Grants

ODOT is accepting applications for the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program. A total of $16 million will be awarded to projects that address barriers for students walking and biking to school and are supported by the affected school or school district. Cities, counties, ODOT, tribes, transit districts and other road authorities are eligible to apply. Additional application resources are located on the ODOT Safe Routes to School Program website.

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Resources

Tripcheck logo

Contact us at ODOT Safety Division

Oregon crash data

National traffic safety info

Oregon Impact newsletter

Transportation Safety newsletter archives

 

Plan your trip: road conditions and travel information 24/7: www.TripCheck.com or dial 511.