January 2016
ODOT Winter Road Guide
Page 5
Make the choice to drive distraction-free
Distracted drivers pose a deadly risk to
everyone on the road. Drivers engage in a
range of distracting activities from eating,
grooming, reading and talking or texting
on their phones. The use of hands-free
technologies isn’t without risk as dangerous
mental distractions exist even when drivers
keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the
road.
Four types of driver distraction:
Visual -- looking at something other than
the road
Auditory -- hearing something not related
to driving
Manual -- manipulating something other
than the wheel
Cognitive -- thinking about something
other than driving
Most distractions involve more than one of
these types, with both a sensory -- eyes, ears,
or touch -- and a mental component.
Available research indicates that cell phone
use while driving, whether it is a hands-free
or hand-held device, degrades a driver’s
performance. The driver is more likely to miss
key visual and audio cues needed to avoid
a crash. Hand-held devices may be slightly
worse, but hands-free devices are not risk-free.
Choose to make a difference
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with you. Just like buckling up, it’s a decision
that saves lives. Make the commitment to
drive distraction-free today. Learn more about
distracted driving and what you can do to
promote safer roads for everyone at www.
distraction.gov.
Take the pledge to:
Protect lives by never texting or talking
on the phone while driving.
Be a good passenger and speak out if the
driver is distracted.
Encourage friends and family to drive
phone-free.
Save a life. Spread the word and take
the pledge to drive distraction-free at www.
distraction.gov or www.itcanwait.com.
Distracted Driving By the Numbers
(this should be a side bar piece next to
above distracted driving article for WRG)
In Oregon, from 2009-2013 there were 56
fatal crashes, 58 fatalities and 13,188 injuries
involving a distracted driver. In addition, 13
fatal crashes, 14 fatalities and 1,204 injuries
during the same period were caused by drivers
reported to have been using a cell phone at the
time of the crash. That’s nearly twenty percent
of all distracted driving fatalities linked to cell
phone use.
These crashes are underreported.
Convictions for cell phone use while driving
during the same time period totaled 71,743
in Oregon. That’s an average of 14,348
convictions per year. In 2014, there were
17,723 convictions for this offence, a 23%
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10 tips for managing some of
the most common distractions:
Turn it off and stow it. Turn your phone
off or switch it to silent mode before you get
in the car. Then stow it away so that it’s out of
reach.
Spread the word – there’s an app for that.
Record a message on your phone that tells
callers you’re driving and will get back to
them when you’re off the road. You can also
sign up for a service or use a cell phone app
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are driving. Check www.itcanwait.com for
phone apps and more.
Pull over. If you need to make a call, pull
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Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to
make the call or respond to a text for you.
X the Text. Don’t ever text and drive,
browse online or read your email while
driving. It’s dangerous and against the law in
most states. Even voice-to-text isn’t risk-free.
Know the law. Familiarize yourself with
state and local laws before you get in the car.
Oregon prohibits the use of hand-held cell
phones in addition to texting.
Prepare. If using a GPS device, enter
your destination before you start to drive. If
you prefer a map or written directions, review
them in advance. If you need help while
driving, ask a passenger to assist you or pull
over to a safe location to change your GPS or
review your map/directions.
Secure your pets. Unsecured pets can be
a big distraction in the car.
Mind the kids. Pull over to a safe place
to address situations involving children in the
car.
Focus on driving. Multi-tasking behind
the wheel is dangerous. Refrain from eating,
drinking, reading, grooming, smoking, and
any other activity that takes your mind and
eyes off the road.
Prevent drowsy driving
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the chance of a crash
Living in eastern Oregon typically
includes a lot of travel time on state
highways for: work; shopping; medical
appointments; visiting friends and family;
and just getting out to enjoy the beautiful
region.
“Too much time behind the wheel
without proper rest breaks, however, can
lead to drowsy driving and tragedy,” says
ODOT spokesperson Tom Strandberg.
ODOT offers the following information
about preventing drowsy driving that may
just save your life, or the lives of others.
Sleepiness or fatigue cause the
following:
Impaired reaction time, judgment and
vision
Problems with information processing
and short-term memory
Decreased performance, vigilance and
motivation
Increased moodiness and aggressive
behavior
Signs that should tell a driver to stop
and rest:
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heavy eyelids
Trouble remembering the last few
miles driven, missing exits or signs
Yawning repeatedly
Drifting from lane to lane, tailgating,
excessive slowness or speed
Feeling restless and irritable
When taking prescription or over-
the-counter medications, be sure to read
all warning labels. Avoid driving if the
medication label indicates it may cause
drowsiness.
“While coffee is a stimulant, it should
not be relied on to keep a driver awake,”
Strandberg said. The caffeine jolt from
coffee does not kick in until at least one-half
hour after it is ingested. “Coffee might
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ODOT suggests the following for long
trips:
Take along a companion to help keep
alert and to drive if you become tired.
Schedule rest stops every two hours.
While sto pped, get out of the vehicle,
walk around and stretch. Make sure your
are rested before heading back on the road.
Don’t take chances with drowsy driving.
Know the signs of fatigue and get the rest
you need.
“You r Profession a l
Rea l Esta te Choice
in Gra n t Cou n ty.”
Dayville John Day Valley
Lori Hickerson , Principal Broker, GRI, P.C.
Sally Knowles , Broker, GRI
Babette Larson , Broker, GRI, Office Manager
MEMBERS OF RMLS & MLS
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