On April 20, also known as 420, cannabis users might observe a day of increased cannabis consumption. As this day grows in popularity, it is important to remind drivers that driving under the influence of cannabis is dangerous and illegal.

Even if you don't feel different after using cannabis, it can still impair your ability to drive by decreasing reaction time and altering perception of time and distance.

Our campaign for 420 is clear: If you feel different, you drive different.

We encourage drivers to plan ahead for a sober ride, whether by calling a friend, using rideshare, or taking a taxi. The goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage safe, responsible choices.

"We're going to be blunt — driving high on 420 isn't just risky, it's deadly. Getting behind the wheel could cost you your license or even your life. Call a sober friend, rideshare, or taxi to get home safely. No excuses."

A recent analysis from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that drivers killed 3,304 pedestrians in the first half of 2024—a 2.6% decrease from the same period in 2023. While that’s 88 fewer fatalities than the previous year, pedestrian deaths have surged 48% over the past decade, with 1,072 more lives lost compared to 2014.

National Work Zone Awareness Week marks the start of construction season with a nationwide campaign to promote safe driving through highway work zones.

Work zones look different than you think. The diverse range of professions that work in and around highway work zones—not just construction workers but also incident responders, state troopers, tow truck drivers, maintenance crews, flaggers, and cleanup teams are the people who keep Oregon moving.

Imagine doing your job just inches away from vehicles going 55 mph or more.

Protect the zone. Move over. Slow down. Pay attention. Lives are on the line.

Go Orange Day is Wednesday, April 23—a day to wear orange in support of work zone safety and to honor the families of those who have lost their lives in work zones.

This year’s theme: "Respect the zone so we all get home."

Celebrating Our Heroes at 911 National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week April 13-19

National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week (NPSTW) is held every year during the second week of April to honor the dedication, service, and sacrifice of public safety telecommunicators. This week, we celebrate and thank the telecommunications personnel who serve our communities and public safety teams around the clock, 24/7.

Dispatchers are the unseen heroes who respond to calls such as:

• A car crash with injuries at an intersection
• A family member experiencing chest pain and unresponsiveness
• A kitchen fire in an apartment building
• A home break-in
• A witness to a hit-and-run crash
• A power line down across the road
• Helping a panicked family member perform CPR on a loved one

These telecommunicators are the first responders, ensuring police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel get home safely after each shift.

They serve in many roles: telecommunicators, dispatchers, call takers, 911 operators, tactical dispatchers, emergency medical dispatchers, and more. All 911 and emergency communications centers are crucial to public safety, providing life-saving services in our communities.

Your voice matters! Take a moment to participate in our quick survey and share your insights. Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping safety improvements in your community and across Oregon.

Together, we can make Oregon’s roadways safer for everyone.

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