Watch out: Holiday travel expected to hit 12-year high
With Memorial Day traffic estimated to hit a 12-year high, safety advocates around Oregon are encouraging drivers, riders, bicyclists and pedestrians to be on the lookout for one another.
“This may be the first taste of summer for many of us, but we can’t let that distract us from making good, safe choices when we’re traveling,” said ODOT Director Matt Garrett.
AAA projects total Memorial Day travel will be the highest travel volume since 2005 and the second-highest on record. It will also mark the third consecutive year of growth in Memorial Day travel with 2.7 percent more travelers nationally and 3.4 percent more in the Pacific Region than last year, according to AAA.
“It’s imperative that we put away the distractions and focus on the task at hand, whether that be driving, riding a motorcycle or bicycle or even walking,” Garrett said.
Members of the state’s advisory committees (Transportation Safety, DUII, Motorcycle Safety, Bicycle/Pedestrian), along with ODOT, Oregon State Police and other concerned organizations, offer the following life-saving reminders:
​Know before you go: visit www.TripCheck.com or call 511 for up-to-date road incident information. Don’t drink and drive – don’t be impaired and drive – don’t bike/walk impaired! Driving is too complex of a task – and the consequences are too extreme – for you to get behind the wheel impaired, whether the impairment comes from your medications, alcohol, marijuana or any other legal or illegal substance. Being sober while walking and bicycling is just as important! Take a taxi, ride public transit or pre-arrange a ride with a sober friend. Be alert – and give space – for bicyclists and pedestrians. Drivers should allow at least 3 feet to avoid contact with a rider; where speeds are more than 35 mph, leave enough space to avoid contact if the rider should fall. You may have to enter the oncoming lane when it’s safe and legal to do so. SLOW DOWN. Relax and be patient – and plan ahead to help avoid frustration, and then realize sometimes things happen, so don’t tailgate! And be sure to check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. Get rested before you are tested. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination – that way you can pull off the road to a safe place and take a 20-minute nap, which studies show is plenty for most people to feel refreshed and ready to focus on driving. Fatigued driving has comparable results to driving under the influence of intoxicants, so be smart, get rested! Pay attention. Avoid distractions. That call can wait! It’s not worth the risk. If you have to attend to pets or children, or otherwise take your focus off driving, pull over to a safe location first. ORANGE is your clue: slow down before and in work zones. Most ODOT projects won’t be operational during holidays (unless there are emergencies) but changes in normal traffic patterns may still exist. Watch for orange signs, cones and barrels: that’s your clue to pay extra attention. Always use the proper safety restraints and child safety seat​s. See www.childsafetyseat.org for free safety seat clinics and proper buckling tips. Safety restraints save lives. MOVE OVER if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle that is stopped and has its emergency lights activated, and you can do so safely, otherwise, slow down (the law requires you to either move over safely or slow down). Carry extra water. Traveling with extra water is always a good idea but especially so when warm temperatures are predicted.
This Memorial Day weekend, and every day, make a personal commitment to be safe when you travel. The life you save could be that of someone you love.
