ODOT Radio News

Feb. 14, 2013

For more information: Shelley M. Snow, ODOT Public Affairs, (503) 986-3438

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Suggested lead: A new program is aimed at combining enforcement and engineering to reduce crashes

2:10

The Oregon Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Oregon State Police to reduce what is called “roadway departure” crashes. The departments are combining engineering solutions and extra enforcement in an effort to save lives.

A “roadway departure crash” is one that occurs at a location along a road other than at an intersection. When a vehicle crosses a center line or the other edge of the road, or goes off the road altogether, that’s a roadway departure crash. ODOT Traffic Services Engineer Doug Bish says his team created a plan back in 2010 and crews have been implementing solutions whenever possible:

“Once we had done…to the next site.” :19

Throughout the next year, Oregon State Police will be targeting more than a dozen specific locations, such as Highway 101 between Tillamook and Depoe Bay, and Highway 26, east of Sandy. Meanwhile, ODOT crews will continue applying systemic engineering fixes:

“Systemic just means that… serious injury crashes.” :19

Currently in Oregon, roadway departure crashes account for about 66 percent of all fatalities. The grant funds ODOT awarded OSP will provide over 1,600 hours of overtime. The departments, along with safety advocates around the state, hope these increased efforts will reduce the number of crashes, the severity of injuries and ultimately, the number of fatalities on Oregon roads.

Reporting from Salem, I’m Shelley Snow.