As summer travel season arrives, ODOT offers reminders to make your trips safe and enjoyable

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Summer travel season is here, and as you make your plans, there are a few things to know before you hit the road. The Oregon Department of Transportation says you can make sure all your travels will be safe and enjoyable this holiday weekend and beyond by knowing what the road ahead will bring. 

Memorial Day weekend 

To prepare for the traffic, consider other ways to reach your destination that mean you don't have to sit behind the wheel. Public transportation, buses and trains are all great alternatives. Consider sharing a ride. Check Get There Oregon to find a carpool match. Plan to stay local? Think about how to get around town without driving to reduce the number of cars on the road. 

We know holiday weekend and summer vacation travel can be stressful, and we want everyone to get where they are going safely. Here are some ways to make your trip safer and less stressful: 

• Plan ahead. Visit TripCheck to see the latest road conditions, closures and delays. Make sure to check the whole route. 
• Leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. 

• Follow the speed limit.  
• Be alert. Be patient. Share the road. 
• Remember to pack water, snacks and other emergency kit supplies in case your trip is delayed. 
• Use special caution in work zones. Work crews may not be present during holiday weekends, but some work zones may remain set up for safety. There are things you may not see behind the cones.  
• Silence your cell phones and stash them away. Focus on the drive. 

And remember to be patient. According to our partners, this Memorial Day weekend is expected to be one of the busiest on record with nearly 500,000 people in Oregon expected to drive to their holiday destination. 

Planning ahead 

Tripcheck.com has live cameras all over the state so you can see what the conditions look like along your route and at your destination. To check for construction delays, look for traffic cone icons on the map. 

While a lot of our construction work will pause over Memorial Day weekend, some impacts and delays will remain. For information on construction projects around the state check out our project hub and see what we have planned.  

Following Memorial Day weekend, summer travel and construction begins to ramp up. We want to ensure your entire season of travel is both safe and enjoyable. As you plan your adventures, make use of our summer travel tips and resources website. On this site, you’ll find valuable insights to navigate through Oregon’s construction and wildfire season, and safety and preparedness tips for all the ways you travel Oregon’s transportation system. Bookmark this resource to become a seasoned summer travel all-star! 

Share the road and drive safely! 

The month of May highlights many national transportation safety messages. The big takeaway from all of the campaigns is to drive, bike, and ride thoughtfully. Watch out for fellow road users and for our maintenance and construction crews. Remember to slow down and move over to give our emergency responders space to safely do their jobs.   

Have a safe trip wherever you go and however you choose to get there this holiday weekend and beyond.