Tag Archives: Driving Safety

Work zone crews in Washington and Oregon plead for safer driving

State transportation officials say motorists are putting Oregon and Washington work crews at risk by driving too fast or driving drunk. Washington and Oregon transportation leaders say they’ve noticed a disturbing rise in the number of accidents involving road workers, such as drunk drivers hitting construction zones, and they’re asking drivers to slow down and […]
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OTHER VIEWS: Legal marijuana making roads deadlier

Marijuana legalization is killing a lot of people. Not slowly — though some studies suggest that it may be doing that, too — but quickly, in car crashes. It’s one more symptom of the disastrous rush by lawmakers to capitalize on cannabis sales without doing the hard work needed to keep the public safe. In […]
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Oregon, Portland’s many bridges at lesser risk of collapse from collisions, officials say

Oregon transportation officials say the state’s many bridges are at low risk for a catastrophe like the collapse of a Baltimore bridge Tuesday after a cargo ship collision. At least six construction workers are missing and presumed dead after a cargo ship lost power and hit a support column for the Francis Scott Key bridge […]
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Bridge safety in Oregon top of mind following Baltimore disaster

ODOT said they have crews watching I-5 24/7 in case disaster strikes. After a bridge collapsed in Baltimore when a container ship struck it Tuesday morning, the issue of bridge safety has been top of mind for many drivers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. In particular, the aging I-5 bridge connecting the two states is […]
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EDITORIAL: Drivers: Trust your eyes, not your (not so) smartphone

The emigrants who traveled the Oregon Trail lacked smartphones and GPS and every other modern navigation tool. But they had what might best be called horse sense. More than a century and a half later, travelers can plot their routes with a plethora of maps and websites and even, should they choose, photographs taken from […]
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Starting in January, Oregon drivers can pass slow cyclists in no-passing zones

A new law in Oregon will let drivers pass a slow-moving cyclist in a no-passing zone. Starting Jan. 1, vehicles traveling at less than half the speed limit will be considered road obstructions. Therefore, drivers in no passing zones will be allowed to cross into the left lane of the roadway to get around them. […]
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ODOT receiving $19M to restore winter road maintenance, buy new snowplow trucks

The new trucks will be delivered by winter 2024. The Oregon Department of Transportation will receive $19 million to restore winter road maintenance services, improve street safety, and to buy new snowplow trucks amid an aging fleet, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Monday. The joint announcement from the governor, Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner and House […]
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Less driving but more deaths: Spike in traffic fatalities puzzles lawmakers

Some think more police officers and speed cameras would help. Traffic deaths are lingering near historic highs in most states despite less driving overall, prompting policymakers to consider deploying more police or installing automated monitoring such as speed cameras to curb speeding and reckless driving. People are driving fewer miles than they were in 2019, […]
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Remember to follow Oregon’s chain law going into winter

It’s that time of year, Ice and snow have started to hit some of Oregon’s highways. Depending on conditions, state law requires vehicles of specific size and weights to use either snow chains, or at least traction tires. The specific requirements will change depending on the accumulation of ice and snow in a given area, […]
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Oregon winter driving: Tips for safety and how to prepare

What’s the most common mistake drivers make during the winter months? Overestimating their vehicle’s capabilities and their own driving skills. That’s according to Todd Harris, president of the Pro Drive Racing School, who on Wednesday used a skid car to teach participants essential skills for navigating snowy and icy conditions during an event in Portland […]
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