July Transportation Safety Newsletter: Safe and Sober 4th of July

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July 2025 Newsletter

Celebrate a Safe and Sober 4th of July

Light Up

On July 4th, America celebrates the birth of the nation. Sadly, around this same time, there tends to be an increase in impaired driving crashes. From 2019 - 2023, there were 2,653 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the 4th of July holiday period.

Together, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are urging everyone to celebrate the 4th of July safely by driving sober, wearing safety belts, and avoiding distractions, such as texting, or using a phone while driving.

Learn more by visiting NHTSA.gov

Safe Summer Driving Tips

Summer Driving 2

Hedi Manlove, Transportation Safety Office Bicycling and Pedestrian Safety Programs Analyst just announced there are two new YouTube videos that are running on streaming and social media outlets throughout the summer. These videos provide information about safe passing of cyclists, especially for travel on coastal roads and highways.

Legal to Pass Safely - YouTube video in English
Es legal rebrasar con seguridad - YouTube video in Spanish

ODOT Communications has also created the Summer Safety Tips webpage where you can find information on safe driving tips, road conditions, summer construction projects, travel information, and much more all in one convenient place.


Become a Child Passenger Safety Technician

CPS2

There are still spaces left for the upcoming CPS Tech class in Grants Pass to get certified before the end of the grant year.

Date: 09-23-25

Location: Grants Pass Parkway Station
800 East Park Street
Grants Pass, OR 97527

For class calendars, registration and other information, visit the
Become a Tech | National CPS Certification website.


Third Annual Touch-A-Truck Event

Touch A Truck Events

On June 12, 2025, Randall Children's Hospital hosted the third annual Touch-A-Truck event. This was a fun hands-on event where children of all ages were able to explore trucks and other vehicles of all sizes, from fire trucks and ambulances, school buses and more. Children also got to meet firefighters, talk to first responders, and hear from numerous community organizations that provided hands-on safety demonstrations for families.

Members of Randall Children's Hospital Child Injury Prevention team were there to help families learn more about car seats and boosters at the child passenger safety station. Information was also provided about water safety and other topics at a variety of safety stations. Each family left with information and tools to ensure children's safety.

Learn more about Randall Children's Hospital at https://www.legacyhealth.org/Children.


Rural Road Safety Peer Exchange

Representatives from ODOT recently attended the Rural Road Safety Peer Exchange in Sacramento, CA where “Participants from seven states (OR, WA, CA, AZ, NV, NM, WY) engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas, sharing innovative strategies, best practices, and lessons learned in mitigating rural roadway departure crashes. The event featured insightful presentations that highlighted both the challenges and successful solutions implemented across different regions.” State, Local, and Tribal Governments can learn more about opportunities for funding rural transportation projects by utilizing the Rural Grant Applicant Toolkit for Competitive Federal Transportation Funding.

Peer

Save the Dates: Transportation Safety Conference

Oct 28

This year's theme is "Together for Safer Roads" – Using innovation, system design, and positive community norms to reduce serious crashes and create a culture of safety.

Dates: October 28-30, 2025

Location: Ko-Kwel Casino Resort in Coos Bay, Oregon

(Previously known as The Mill Casino Resort)

Address: 3201 Tremont Street, North Bend, OR 97459

Stay Tuned - Registration opens soon!

This no-cost, three-day event brings together transportation professionals from across Oregon to focus on reducing serious crashes and building a stronger culture of safety.


Tell Us What You Think!

Tell Us What You Think

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.

Take the Traffic Safety Survey Now


Resources

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Contact us at ODOT Transportation Safety

Order free safety brochures, posters, and more

Oregon crash data

National traffic safety information

Newsletter archives and subscribe

 

Plan your trip: road conditions and travel information 24/7: TripCheck.com or dial 511.


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