When you’re driving in Oregon it’s now legal to pass people on bicycles in a no-passing zone, as long as they’re riding at less than half the speed limit. First, be patient and hold back for a good moment to pass. Once it’s clear, move fully into the next lane and pass at five miles below the speed limit. This avoids crowding riders, keeping them safe from the force of passing vehicles. Lastly, wait until you see the riders in your rearview mirror before you move back over. Share the road. So we can all get there safely.

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For the first time since the pandemic, pedestrian traffic deaths have decreased. Drivers struck and killed 7,318 people in the United States in 2023 – down 5.4% from the year before but 14.1% above the pre-pandemic level in 2019 – according to a new report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). While this modest year-over-year decrease is welcome news, pedestrian fatalities have surged in recent years and reached a 40-year high in 2022.

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Red light running is a significant cause of serious injury crashes in Oregon, specifically of debilitating brain injury and death crashes. Not only is it a state law (ORS 811.265), it’s essential for everyone’s safety that every driver in Oregon heed the warning to Stop on Red.

At an intersection with a stop sign, steady red signal, or flashing red signal, you must stop before the marked stop line or crosswalk. Always yield to vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, and people riding bicycles, as well as traffic in the intersection when making an allowed turn. After stopping, if you are unable to see traffic coming from your left and right, slightly pull forward and scan the area. Even if you have a green light, do not enter an intersection unless there is room for your vehicle on the other side.

At intersections with stop signs in all four directions, it is common courtesy to allow the driver who stops first to go first. When in doubt, yield to the driver on your right. Never assume another driver will yield the right of way to you.

At intersections with two-way stop signs across from each other, the driver turning left should yield the right of way to approaching or oncoming traffic going straight.

You may have seen one of our safety staff in your community lately talking about safe driving, safety belts, child car seats, distracted driving, slowing your speeds, being safe in construction zones, or upcoming safety projects. Our crew in ODOT Region 4 was recently at the Jefferson County Fair providing information about the US-97: High Bridge to Madras Safety Study and providing safety outreach.

We’re pleased to announce grants promoting Safe Routes to School. These grants make school routes safer and more accessible for students across the state through safety and access improvements and education.

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