The TIM Trend: April 2020

Click here to view as web page

TIM Trend Banner

April 2020


Thank you Responders

THANK YOU!

I’m sure that all of you have been inundated by COVID19 information. It’s everywhere; online, on TV, on social media or maybe someone from your family called you about it. It seems to be coming in fast and furious and from so many sources.

We’re not here today to give you more information.

We’re here to say THANK YOU.

Thank you for staying on the front lines, thank you for putting your health on the line to help a stranded motorist. Thank you for being available when called upon to help a stranger in need. We know you do this every day, but now, with all of the uncertainty, it’s even more dangerous for you to be on the roads. We see your dedication, drive and determination and we thank each of you for what you do.

So be safe, be careful and stay healthy. We can’t do this without you.

Justin Guinan Signature

Justin Guinan, Oregon TIM Coordinator


TIM Distracted Driving Banner

April is distracted driving awareness month but because of the COVID19 pandemic, the National Safety Council has decided to postpone Distracted Driving Awareness month to another undetermined month. 

Even though the official awareness campaigns are postponed, it doesn’t mean we can’t all take a moment to think about what distracted driving means to all of us responders.

Whether it be from drinking, texting, eating, dozing or anything that takes your brain away from the act of driving - it’s all distracted driving. It makes up a large portion of drivers on our roadways today. As a responder, being present, vigilant and aware of your surroundings is probably your number one defense in staying safe on the roadways. On a typical day, more than 700 people (not just responders) are injured in distracted driving crashes. By not being complacent and being present in your environment, you can help slow the death rate on our nation’s roadways.

Organizations like NHTSA and the National Safety Council use campaigns like distracted driving awareness month to draw attention to these important matters. The good news is that it seems to be working. According to the NHTSA website in 2017 distracted drivers killed 3,166 people, a decrease of 8.2% from 2016. This decline could be a result of tough laws that are being put in place in many states that ban things such as texting and driving. But it could also be from responders like you, doing your jobs and doing them well. 

That brings me to you.

Each of you.

We’d like to hear your success stories about distracted driving.

What have you done on a personal level to stop distracted driving? Have you asked someone to stop texting while driving? Have you offered to drive when the driver was sleepy? Maybe you called a cab for a friend who had one too many. Maybe you even pulled a colleague out of the way of a distracted driver headed for you on the side of the road. Whatever it is, let us know. We’d love to hear how you’re making a difference every day. And maybe, if you’re ok with it, we’d like to post your story on the Oregon TIM Responder Facebook page to celebrate your successes at curtailing distracted driving. 

Email your stories to Justin at timtraining@odot.state.or.us

Thank you for all you do and stay safe out there!

Sources: NHTSA.gov, National Safety Council