Governor Proclaims May as Transportation Safety Month

Not only is summer the peak travel season, but this summer there will be more day and night highway and bridge construction work zones in Oregon than the state has seen in many decades.

Photo Courtesy: fairbz.it

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski has proclaimed May "Transportation Safety Awareness Month" in Oregon, in anticipation of a massive jump in highway construction and bridge work coming this summer.

The $2.5 billion, 10-year Oregon Transportation Investment Act to repair vital bridges and expand highway capacity will nearly double the amount of highway work in Oregon during this period.

"The governor`s proclamation is not only about highway travel and road construction during the busy summer season," said Anne Holder, the Oregon Department of Transportation Safety Division`s Roadway & Work Zone Safety Program Manager.

"But we want people to pay special attention in work zones, remember orange is your clue to slow down, because Oregon`s huge investment in its highways and bridges is getting into high gear."

Driving under the influence of intoxicants, speeding, driver inattention, and failure to wear seatbelts are the most common and most avoidable factors in crashes that end up in deaths or serious injuries, Holder said.

"And in highway work zones the majority of fatalities and serious injuries occur to drivers and their passengers rather than highway workers, even though that`s a very dangerous job," she said.

Yet slowing down in work zones - even if they don`t appear active - is vital for drivers and highway workers` safety as well.

In fact, in order to nationally honor those who have died in work zones nationally, the National Work Zone Memorial Wall is in Oregon this May.

It will be on display May 4th through 16th at the Lloyd Center in Portland.

"Whether people are traveling by car on the highways, pedestrians crossing busy streets, or kids riding their bicycles, we want people to get where they`re going safely," Holder said.

"And Oregonians themselves are the ones who have control over their own safety - for example by paying special attention in work zones, not using alcohol or drugs and driving, speeding, following traffic safety laws, watching out for pedestrians, wearing seat belts and making sure your children wear helmets when they ride bikes, scooters and skateboards."

Also recognizing the warming weather bringing more motorcyclists on the road, May also is Motorcycle Awareness Month by governor`s proclamation.