In This Issue

Mark Your Calendars for These Important May Events:

• Click It or Ticket Day & Night - May 22nd to June 4th

• National Youth Traffic Safety Month

• National Bicycle Safety Month

• Motorcycle Awareness Month

• National Heat Stroke Prevention Day - May 1st

Also In This Issue:

• Help Spread the Word to Local, Regional and Tribal Partners - The Safe Streets and Roads for All FY23 NOFO Is Open, Now through July 10, 2023

• Zero is Our Goal - A Safe System is How We Get There

• Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $1 Billion for Local Communities to Improve Roadway Safety

• Beginning Monday, May 22 and extending through Sunday, June 4, law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon will use federally funded overtime to educate the public about safety belt and child seat laws including a law passed in 2017 increasing safety for children under age two.

• ODOT crash data for 2020 shows lack of safety belt or child restraint use was a factor in 32% or 100 of a total 311 motor vehicle occupant fatalities.

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages one through twelve years old. In 2020, 1,019 children under twelve were injured in Oregon traffic crashes, 10 percent were reported not using a child restraint system. It is estimated that car seats may increase crash survival by 71% for infants under one year old and by up to 59% for toddlers aged one to four. Booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among four to eight year olds by 45% compared to safety belts used alone.

• Of the 23,824 passenger vehicle occupants killed in the United States in 2020, 51% were not wearing seat belts.

• In 2017 safety belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives nationally. For drivers and front-seat passengers, using a lap and shoulder belt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent in an SUV, van or pickup and by 45 percent in a car. (IIHS)

• In 2017 an Oregon law was passed requiring children to ride in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least two years old. A child over age two must continue to ride in a car seat with harness or in a booster until they reach age eight or 4’ 9” in height and the adult belt fits them correctly.

• The 2017 law, which extends the rear-facing requirement from the previous age one to age two, will better protect the child’s head, neck, and spine from potential crash injuries. This is because a rear-facing seat spreads crash forces evenly across the seat and child’s body while also limiting forward or sideways motion of the head.



• For help selecting or installing child car seats, consult the seat manufacturer’s instructions, your vehicle owner’s manual, or visit a local child seat fitting station listed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#inspection-inspection or at http://oregonimpact.org/Child_Passenger_Safety.

Your teen sees a driver's license as a step toward freedom, but you might not be sure your teen is ready for the road. One thing is certain: teens aren't ready to have the same level of driving responsibility as adults.

Teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity, lack of skills, and lack of experience. They speed, they make mistakes, and they get distracted easily – especially if their friends are in the car.

To help your teen stay safe behind the wheel, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have a three-stage graduated driver licensing (GDL) system that limits high-risk driving situations for new drivers. This approach can reduce your teen's crash risk by as much as 50%.

What Can You Do?

Learn about your state’s GDL laws. Note that the laws and restrictions can vary from state to state. Familiarizing yourself with the restrictions placed on your teen's license can better assist you in enforcing those laws. You have the opportunity to establish some important ground rules for your teen driver.

Restrict night driving and passengers, prohibit driving while using the phone or other electronic devices, and require seat belt use at all times.

Talk to your teen about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Remind them that it is illegal to drink under the age of 21, and it is illegal — and deadly — to drink and drive. If a teen is under 21, his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) should always be at .00, not just under .08, which is the legal limit for drivers over age 21.

Be a good role model. Remember that your child looks to you as a driver, so practice safe driving yourself. Set aside time to take your teen on practice driving sessions. It can be a great way to spend time together and to allow your teen to improve some basic driving skills. Your teen's learning starts at home.

Don't rely solely on a driver's education class to teach your teen to drive. Remember that driver's education should be used as just part of a GDL system.

The Bottom Line

You have more influence on your teen than you may think. Be a good example and get involved in their driving habits from the beginning, and stay involved for the duration of their teen years.



For more information visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving

• Ride a bike that fits you — if it’s too big, it’s harder to control the bike.

• Ride a bike that works — it really doesn’t matter how well you ride if the brakes don’t work.

• Wear equipment to protect you and make you more visible to others, like a bike helmet, bright clothing (during the day), reflective gear, and a white front light and red rear light and reflectors on your bike (at night, or when visibility is poor).

• Ride one per seat, with both hands on the handlebars, unless signaling a turn.

• Carry all items in a backpack or strapped to the back of the bike.

• Tuck and tie your shoelaces and pant legs so they don’t get caught in your bike chain.

• Plan your route — if driving as a vehicle on the road, choose routes with less traffic and slower speeds. Your safest route may be away from traffic altogether, in a bike lane or on a bike path.

Be focused and alert to the road and all traffic around you; anticipate what others may do, before they do it. This is defensive driving — the quicker you notice a potential conflict, the quicker you can act to avoid a potential crash:

• Drive with the flow, in the same direction as traffic.

• Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car.

• Assume the other person doesn’t see you; look ahead for hazards or situations to avoid that may cause you to fall, like toys, pebbles, potholes, grates, train tracks.

• No texting, listening to music or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes and ears or your mind off the road and traffic.

People on bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as people behind the wheel of a vehicle.

• Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists and do not underestimate their speed. This will help avoid turning in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road or sidewalk, often at an intersection or driveway.

• In parking lots, at stop signs, when packing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, including bicycles.

• Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear. Stop completely and look left-right-left and behind before turning right on red.

• Obey the speed limit, reduce speed for road conditions and drive defensively to avoid a crash with a cyclist.

• Give cyclists room. Do not pass too closely. Pass bicyclists as you would any other vehicle — when it’s safe to move over into an adjacent lane.

How to Fit a Bike Helmet



Rules of the Road

Motorist awareness is an important component of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s comprehensive motorcycle safety program.

Over two-thirds of fatal motorcycle crashes involve a motorcycle and another vehicle. The motorist either does not see the oncoming motorcycle at all or does not see the motorcycle in time to avoid a crash. It is important for motorists to know that their actions affect the safety of motorcyclists.

A motorist and a motorcyclist may take different actions for the same driving or highway situation. For example, a motorist may ignore a piece of road debris; however, that same piece of road debris may be deadly for a motorcyclist.

As a motorist or a passenger, there are some steps to become more aware of motorcyclists.

• Respect the motorcyclist: Remember the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the privileges of any vehicle on the roadway. Give the motorcyclist a full lane of travel.

• Look out: Look for the motorcyclist on the highway, at intersections, when a motorcyclist may be making a left turn, and when a motorcyclist may be changing lanes. Clearly signal your intentions.

• Anticipate a motorcyclist’s maneuver: Obstructions (debris, potholes, etc.) that you may ignore or not notice can be deadly for a motorcyclist. Predict evasive actions.



• Allow plenty of space: Don’t follow a motorcycle too closely. Allow enough room for the motorcyclist to take evasive actions.

• Motorcycle operators should be licensed and take a Motorcycle Ohio training course.

• Operators should use a DOT-approved helmet with face shield, gloves, jacket, pants, and boots to maximize safety in case of an accident.



• Using the motorcycle’s headlight at all times and wearing bright colored clothing will maximize visibility for other drivers.

• Never operate a vehicle or motorcycle while distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Use a three- to four-second following distance when behind a motorcycle to allow them room and time to maneuver in case of an emergency.

• Always signal lane changes and turns to help other drivers anticipate changes in traffic.

• Remember that minor inconveniences for most vehicle operators such as wet roads, gravel, potholes, railroad tracks, and grooved pavements can become major road hazards for motorcycle operators.

• Grass clippings on roadways also pose a threat to motorcycles. Once they become wet, they can become slippery. Homeowners are advised not to throw grass clippings onto any roadway.

• Drivers should check all blind spots before turning, passing, or entering an intersection to be certain that there are no motorcycles within the blind spots.

Please join NHTSA in promoting vehicle heatstroke prevention in your community or within your organization. Here are some strategies to help spread the word about the dangers of heatstroke:

Write a blog or newsletter article related to heatstroke prevention. Discuss the three most common scenarios of kids in hot cars:

• Forgotten

• Intentionally left

• Gained access

• Change your social media avatar to the Park Look Lock image during the campaign.

• If you are a business owner or retailer, include Park Look Lock material with your products. NHTSA has several items for use, such as flyers, stickers, and window clings.

• Create a social media video with key members of your organization stressing the importance of heatstroke prevention and post the video to your social media accounts.

• Develop educational presentations for heatstroke prevention and deliver them to community stakeholders.

• Support NHTSA’s National Heatstroke Prevention Day on May 1, 2023.

• Ask local establishments to put up flyers in their parking lots or in the entrances to their businesses reminding customers to check for baby!

• Engage with childcare providers to adopt policies that notify both parents if the child has not arrived for care that day.

• Establish partnerships with local childcare providers to distribute educational material and promote heatstroke prevention using the Park Look Lock material or other creative assets.

• To find informational documents, samples, flyers, and hang tags to share with your customers or other community members visit: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/toolkits/heatstroke- prevention/heatstrokeprevention-toolkit15152-030521-v3

The fiscal year (FY) 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Safe Streets and Roads for All grants is live on Grants.gov and open for applications.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday, July 10, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. For details, more information, and applicant guidance:

• Review the NOFO

• Visit our How to Apply page

• Visit our Resources page

• Review SS4A Frequently Asked Questions Attend a grant application webinar

• Learn about what's new in 2023

• Award announcements are expected to be made by late 2023.

Oregon traffic fatalities decline in 2022, but pedestrian deaths spike.

The Oregonian Updated: Jan. 10, 2023 Oregon saw a slight drop in traffic fatalities in 2022, but for pedestrians, Oregon’s roads were the most dangerous they’ve ever been, with traffic deaths rising a staggering 41% from 2021.

The trend was reflected in Portland traffic deaths, too. The city saw more pedestrians killed by cars than during any of the past 70 years.

• Read more here: https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2023/01/oregon-traffic-fatalities-decline-in-2022-but-pedestrian-deaths-spike.html

On February 13th, The Oregon Department of Transportation plans to close 181 crosswalks across busy roads in the metro region in 2023.

Fifty-three of them are in Portland.

The crosswalks are on state highways that serve as major roads in ODOT Region 1 that includes Portland, Barlow, Beaverton, Canby, Cascade Locks, Gladstone, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Molalla, Oregon City, Sherwood, Tigard, Troutdale, Tualatin, West Linn, Wilsonville, and unincorporated portions of Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties.

Monday, April 17, 2023 

Contact: pressoffice@dot.gov

Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $1 Billion for Local Communities to Improve Roadway Safety

More than 500 communities received funding for planning and projects from first round of grants announced in February; second round of funding encourages applicants to submit proposals that include demonstration projects that can be built quickly from temporary materials

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is announcing that is has opened the process for cities, towns, counties, Tribal governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to apply directly for a total of $1.177 billion to fund local projects that improve roadway safety.

The funds are from the competitive grant program, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), which was created in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities both plan and carry out projects that help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our highways, streets, and roads. Funding can be targeted toward known high-crash areas, which are easier than ever to identify thanks to an interactive tool created by DOT. Locally driven solutions can include everything from improving sidewalks and adding high-visibility crosswalks, to reconfiguring intersections.

“The crisis of traffic deaths on our nation’s roadways demands urgent and sustained action by us all,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With our Safe Streets and Roads for All program, we are helping communities across the country save lives by making their roads safer.”

Launching and administering the SS4A grant program is a major element to DOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, launched in 2022 to address the high number of traffic deaths happening across the country.

In February, DOT announced 473 communities received Action Planning grants and 37 communities received Implementation grants from the first round of SS4A funding. With similar funding available this year, the

Department encourages all interested communities to apply. The application process for SS4A is designed to be as easy as possible and increase accessibility to this program, particularly for smaller communities, Tribal governments and recipients new to Federal funding. Applicants for this cycle are encouraged to submit proposals that include the use of demonstration activities, sometime also known as “quick build” projects, as part of their Action Plans, as well as undertaking more traditional action planning and implementation activities. DOT anticipates awarding at least $250 million in demonstration activities this funding round.

Applications may come from individual communities or groups of communities and may include MPOs, counties, cities, towns, other special districts that are subdivisions of a state, certain transit agencies, federally recognized Tribal governments, and multijurisdictional groups of eligible applicants.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A. 

Applications are due on or before July 10 at 5pm Eastern.

Drive Sober, Safe, and Happy!

from your

Friends at Oregon Impact