LeeAnne Fergason is the new Transportation Safety Office Director. She has been with ODOT since 2017 and was recently the Senior Active Transportation Policy Analyst and staff lead in the Public Transportation Division. LeeAnne has extensive experience managing and working with staff who manage grant programs to fund safety-focused construction and education/encouragement projects in the effort to increase safety through policy.

Prior to ODOT, LeeAnne spent 10 years with Oregon Safe Routes to School in the non-profit sector, managing staff and grants. She learned from working with staff and partners that the people most affected by a problem often find the best and most effective solutions

When not at work, LeeAnne enjoys backpacking with her spouse, playing in a community orchestra, and reading a wide variety of books.

In a Feb. 26 News Release, The Governor's Highway Safety Association, announced they have published an extensive report about the dangers of drowsy driving.

Did you know:

• Driving tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – yet 1 in 5 drivers admit doing it at least once in the past month.
• More than 6,300 people died in suspected drowsy driving crashes in 2023 – ten times higher than the 633 deaths officially reported in federal statistics. 

These aren't just statistics – they're people. Behind every number is a family torn apart by a preventable tragedy. Behind every number is a person killed too soon, leaving behind countless grieving family members.

Read the full GHSA Wake Up Call report where there are recommendations for actionable steps to reduce this silent threat to road safety.

There is no shortage of teen drivers in Oregon, but eastern Oregon has a very limited number of driver education providers. 

In an effort to get more instructors in Eastern Oregon, ODOT TSO Safety Coordinator, Billie-Jo Nickens said that she has a goal of offering a driver education instructor course, each year in Eastern Oregon. This year's course will be held in Enterprise starting on March 14.

Potential instructors must be 21 or over, have a valid driver license and have current first aid and CPR certification. They must also complete and pass the Traffic Safety Education course, then apply for a certificate through Western Oregon University.

For more information, see the recent article by Lisa Britton that was published in the Bend Bulletin about the challenges of getting more driver education providers in eastern Oregon and how you could be part of the solution.

GAC on DUII, March 6, 9:00a.m. 

Oregon Transportation Safety Committee, March 11, 9:30 a.m.

Meetings are open to everyone

Accommodation will be provided for people with disabilities, and materials can be provided in alternate formats. To request an accommodation, please visit the public meetings website and sort by meeting name to find the contact information for your particular meeting. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call statewide relay at 711.

The Transportation Safety Office is now accepting applications from eligible state and local agencies, Tribal Nations, colleges, universities, and nonprofits.

The funding supports projects that improve road safety in areas such as distracted driving, impaired driving, pedestrian and bicycle safety, EMS, and traffic enforcement services.

Apply by March 13, 2026 for funding available Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027.

Visit the Transportation Safety Office Grantee Resources webpage for more information and instructions on how to apply.