Transportation Safety Newsletter, April 2020

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 03/31/2020 03:59 PM PDT

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April 2020

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®

Cocktail at a bar with driver keys on the counter.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® celebrates 10 years – during March 30 to April 5 – linking students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths about drugs and alcohol that teens get from the internet, social media, TV, movies, music, or from friends. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to inspire educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. There are online tools to share with teens such as the National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge quiz and toolkits to learn about specific drugs that might be a problem in your community.

It's important to talk to your kids about the dangers of impaired driving. According to the 2018 Student Wellness Survey, 43.3% of Oregon 11th graders think that most students drove a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, when in fact, only 3.5% of Oregon 11th graders admitted to doing so in the survey. Share with your teens that most of their peers are NOT driving impaired.

Deadline to Remove Studded Tires Extended

Vehicle owners in Oregon will not be required to remove studded tires until May 1. This change is in response to the current public health emergency as we are all taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Winter traction tires with protruding metal studs damage the surface of roads, requiring more frequent and expensive maintenance, and are typically allowed each winter season between Nov. 1 and March 31. The extension was approved due to limited business hours and social distancing measures currently in place.

Before you start your car, park your phone. Distracted driving is illegal.

Distracted Driving Month Postponed

The National Safety Council has postponed observing Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April so employers can focus on managing the global coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, we could not let April pass by without reminding you that distracted driving is a staggering public safety issue. Driving is an activity that requires your full attention and focus in order to keep yourself and others safe on the road.

ODOT staff wearing orange with traffic cones

Go Orange Day

Go Orange Day on April 22 is a nationwide effort to keep everyone safe and create awareness of the importance of work zone safety. Everyone is encouraged to participate by wearing orange and by being safe – wherever we are, whatever our job – in support of National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. Want to show your support? Slow down and pay attention in work zones. Orange is your clue!

ODOT employees: We’d love see you in orange! Send your (safe) snapshots to inside.odot@odot.state.or.us.

Safe Routes Partnership News

The Pacific Northwest regional network – around the greater Portland, Vancouver, Salem, and Eugene regions – supports walking and bicycling policies and funding within communities, to create a place where walking and bicycling are safe and convenient. Read the latest e-newsletter.