Transportation Safety Newsletter, October 2019

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 10/01/2019 01:07 PM PDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

October 2019

Spread the Word to Every Ghoul and Goblin

Over 40% of all motor vehicle fatalities were in alcohol impaired crashes on Halloween night

Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving ... yet, when it comes to impaired driving, Halloween can turn the roads into a horror fest.

This Halloween, let’s make happy memories, not tragic nightmares. The only thing scarier than zombies and witches loose on the streets is a drunk driver. Halloween poses an especially dangerous threat to pedestrians, as more people are out at night on the hunt for candy. Even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many for some drivers. If you do plan to enjoy some witch’s brew, be sure to arrange a sober ride home in advance.

Drunk driving isn’t the only risk on the road: Drug-impaired driving is also an increasing problem. If drivers are impaired by any substance — alcohol or drugs — they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It is illegal in all states to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Stay safe on Halloween night, and every night.

National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 20-26

This week - and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

These are the greatest dangers for teen drivers:

distracted or drowsy driving (texting while driving)
impaired driving (alcohol and drugs)
inconsistent or no seat belt use
number of passengers
speeding

Even if you think they aren't listening, they are. So, remember, set the rules before they hit the road.

When the red lights flash, you have to stop!

School Bus Safety

Our friends at Oregon State Sheriffs Association have produced a public service announcement highlighting the importance of school bus safety just in time for National School Bus Safety Week on Oct 21-25.

Remember: Flashing amber lights warn traffic that the bus is about to stop on the road to load or unload children. Prepare to stop. When the red lights flash, stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the driver turns off the flashing red lights.

If you are on a divided highway with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, you must stop only if you are on the same side of the road as the bus.

A painted median strip or turn lane does not create two separate roads. In this case, all lanes of traffic (both directions) must stop.

National #MoveOver Day is October 19

Every year, ODOT participates in National Move Over Day. Our goal is to make people aware of Oregon’s Move Over Law, and inspire them to obey it. Lives are at stake. Help us spread the word that we are all responsible to move over and slow down when we see responders and fellow travelers in distress on the side of the road. It’s the law. It’s also the right thing to do. Join the movement. #MoveOver

Real-world Crashes Shape New Tests

Engineers at Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are trying out new crash test configurations as they develop procedures for future evaluations.

Transportation Safety Conference

The ODOT Transportation Safety Conference will be held on October 23-24 at Spirit Mountain Casino and Conference Center in Grand Ronde, OR. It will provide a forum for traffic safety advocates to learn about issues and what is being done to reduce crashes in Oregon.