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May 2022
May is “Transportation Safety Awareness Month” in Oregon, and whether you are walking, bicycling, riding a motorcycle, or driving, you’ll most likely see some reminder to be safe. It might be orange cones or barrels indicating a work zone or it might be someone on the radio saying, “Slow down. Better roads ahead.” Whatever the message, the goal is the same: improve safety for Oregonians and visitors to our state.
Just in time for Oregon’s driving, riding, walking, and cycling — and highway construction — season, ODOT and its partners around the state are reminding everyone to be aware of what’s going on around them and take action to stay safe. Slow down when you see orange. Stow your phone and drive alert. We’re all in this together to stay safe!
Inattentive drivers are the most common cause for work zone crashes (“Pay Attention” video YouTube).
Check the ODOT Transportation Project Tracker for construction projects coming soon to your area.
And for 24/7 information on road closures and delays, visit Tripcheck.com.
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 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Are you in a car? Think of the safety features around you – like reinforced steel, belts, and airbags. All to protect you in a crash. Now, think of someone on a motorcycle. They’re out there with none of that. But they do have one safety feature they’re counting on to survive: You. Please, before you turn, be in the habit of actively looking for motorcycles. You could save a life – and avoid the regret of a lifetime. Look twice for people on motorcycles.
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 Walk+Roll Challenge Month
During the month of May, we encourage schools to plan events to promote walking and rolling. And National Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 4. Whether addressing the need to make routes to school safer, celebrating the benefits and joys of safe travel, or encouraging children to be more active, these events can be powerful tools to inspire lasting change. Of course, they are also fun!
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Click It or Ticket
Despite having one of the highest safety belt usage rates in the nation, Oregon still experiences tragedy every year due to lack of belt use. In fact, in 2020, not wearing a safety belt was a major factor in nearly half of Oregon’s traffic deaths. Seat belts have been proven to be one of the best ways to save your life in a crash. Yet, many still don't buckle up. Worse still, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that will pass on to impressionable youth who, in turn, will think it is safe to not buckle up. From May 23 - June 5 law enforcement personnel will be working extra shifts during the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign to help ensure motorists and their passengers are properly buckled up. Drive Safely. The Way to Go.
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Roll Together Safely
With the beautiful spring weather and longer days, many of us are excited to get back on our bicycles and get outside. During National Bicycle Safety Month in May, safety advocates are encouraging all users of the roads – those who drive, walk, and roll – to “Look out for each other.” When we pay attention to what’s around us, we are better able to avoid tragedies that can result from interactions involving people driving, walking, riding, and rolling.
Bicycling is one of the best ways to get exercise, see the sights, and reduce your carbon footprint. People driving are reminded that people on bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as people behind the wheel of a vehicle. When driving, make sure to yield to people bicycling as you would to people driving, search your surroundings for people walking or rolling especially near intersections, and only pass a bicyclist when it’s safe to do so and you can slow down and give plenty of safe passing distance. People bicycling can use a handy field guide and bicycling manual from ODOT to get ready for a safe ride. With more bikes on the road, remember to look out for each other and enjoy the ride!
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Bicycle Friendly State Report Card
The League of American Bicyclists recently named Oregon No. 2 out of 50 for bicycle-friendly states – and first on the West Coast – in the Bicycle Friendly State Report Card. The news is great, but there is still much work to be done to make things even better.
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