Bend PD: ODOT conducting distracted-driving survey

If you live in Bend and get a survey call the next couple of days asking about your driving habits – like whether and how often you use a cellphone while driving – it’s not a scam, police said Monday.

Bend police Lt. Clint Burleigh said the department has been collaborating with ODOT’s Transportation Safety Division to learn more about driving habits in Bend.

ODOT is working with Portland State University to reach drivers who are willing to discuss their driving habits. The calls began Monday and will continue through Wednesday evening.

“If you receive a phone call, please consider participating in this survey,” Burleigh said in a news release.

He noted that it “is completely anonymous, and the findings from the survey will help ODOT develop better programs and campaigns to reduce distracted driving and promote increased safety on Oregon roadways.”

Bend police conducted a distracted driving enforcement and education campaign April 21-25 during National Distracted Driving Months. Bend-La Pine Schools and several city of Bend departments, including the Fire Department, “made substantial efforts increasing public awareness of the dangers in distracted driving,” Burleigh said.