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By The Skanner News | The Skanner News
Published: 27 May 2011

Stay safe this Memorial Day Weekend. State police will be out on the roads looking for impaired drivers and those who aren't using seat belts.

"Speeding and driver impairment are factors most often leading to serious crashes so do your part by driving safe and sober and properly using your safety restraints and child safety seats," said O'Keeffe.

Carla Levinski, ODOT's Occupant Protection Program Manager, noted that alcohol and lack of safety belt use can sometimes be a lethal mix.

"Oregon crash data shows that almost half of our state's unbuckled fatalities are persons having measurable blood alcohol content," Levinski said.  In addition, recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research suggests that most of Oregon's unbuckled fatalities occur on weekday afternoons and between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on weekends.

Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation offer the following safety reminders for holiday travel:

* Get rested before you are tested. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity.  Be patient and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.

* Pay attention.  An inattentive driver is a growing safety concern on our roads and an increasing factor in traffic crashes.

* Know before you go: Stay up to date on road conditions by visiting TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1.

* Even when workers are not present, all work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.

* Share the road.  Don't tailgate and check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

* Always use safety restraints and child safety seats correctly (see www.childsafetyseat.org for free safety seat clinics and proper buckling tips)

* Don't drink and drive.

* MOVE OVER if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated.

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