Oregon State Police issued a list of helpful tips for travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and with thousands of Oregonians hitting the road to travel long or short distances, OSP and Oregon Department of Transportation want to remind all travelers to buckle up.
Starting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, and running through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 25., OSP and Oregon law enforcement agencies will join traffic enforcement efforts nationwide to work toward preventing crashes and to make drivers buckle up and drive sober.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday, 337 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide.
OSP, Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police and ODOT remind travelers of these safety tips:
Getting ready for the trip
* Check road conditions by visiting www.tripcheck.com or calling 5-1-1.
* Carry an emergency kit and chains or traction tires, especially if traveling over mountain passes.
* Always have a designated driver for any holiday activities that include alcohol.
On the road:
* Use headlights even in daylight to help other drivers see you.
* Don’t use cruise control in wet, icy, snowy or foggy conditions.
* There are still many construction zones on our highways, and even though work will be inactive over the holiday weekend, there may be equipment, detours and incomplete changes in the roadway. Stay alert and slow down because all work zone speed limits still apply and fines increase in these areas.
* Don’t drink and drive or get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.