May 2026 Transportation Safety Newsletter

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 05/01/2026 09:35 AM PDT

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May 2026 Newsletter

May is a busy month for safety observances

Youth Traffic Safety Month

The Youth Traffic Safety Month campaign is dedicated to reducing teen motor vehicle crashes—the leading cause of death for teenagers with a focus on reducing distracted driving, speeding, and impairment. This observance promotes education about safe driving habits, seatbelt use, the importance of teen driver education and awareness of hazards for young, inexperienced drivers.

Visit the following websites for more information:

The AAA Safe Driving for Teenagers website gives tips on understanding the rules of the road, how to help teens develop safe driving habits, and information on basic car maintenance.

The ODOT - Transportation Safety Office Driver Education Program webpage provides information about teen driver education in Oregon and a list of ODOT-Approved providers throughout the state.

The Oregon DMV Teen Driving webpage provides information about teen permits, driver education providers and licensing. They also have manuals and guides to help teens prepare for the drive test.

Bicycle Safety Month

National Bicycle Safety Month is celebrated every year in May. During National Bicycle Safety Month, the Oregon Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urge bicyclists and drivers to share the road by obeying traffic laws and respecting each other’s rights.

Whether you are a beginner, a regular bicyclist, or an athlete, bicycling is good for you. It is a healthy, low-impact exercise that people of all ages can enjoy. It is also fun and good for the environment.

You can find information and dates for fun bicycling events on the Portland.gov Bike Month 2026 webpage.

A calendar of events is now posted on the University of Oregon webpage.

Oregon Safe Routes to School is sponsoring the Walk+Roll May Challenge.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May is the traditional start of motorcycling season as warmer temperatures reach across the U.S. This is why May 2026 is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing crashes by encouraging drivers to "look twice" and share the road.

With increased motorcycle traffic, drivers are urged to be alert for motorcycles, especially in blind spots and at intersections, to ensure a safe environment for all road users.

Visit the following websites for more information about motorcycle safety:

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Motorcycles webpage

Motorcycle Safety Foundation webpage

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Motorcycle Safety webpage

Oregon work zone crashes increase again, hit five-year high

Oregon work zone crashes hit a five-year high in 2024 — 621 crashes — according to the latest data from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The crashes claimed 14 lives and resulted in 36 serious injuries.

Most work zone crashes involve drivers, not road workers. In 2024, all of the serious injuries and deaths in work zones were to drivers or their passengers. Each crash was preventable.

Oregon among the deadliest states for summer drivers

AAA refers to summer driving as the “100 Deadliest Days,” the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day when there is a rise in driving fatalities across the country, particularly among younger drivers. A new MoneyGeek study finds the 100 days are becoming less deadly, with the latest data showing 39,254 summer driving deaths in 2024. While not confirmed yet, 2025 is expected to see a drop as well, to 36,640 deaths. Oregon is currently ranked as the 6th deadliest state for summer drivers, according to the study.

Governor's Advisory Committee on DUII, May 1, 9:00 a.m.

Oregon Transportation Safety Committee, May 13, 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.

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 roads safer for everyone.

Take the Traffic Safety Survey now