The latest news for you

Making an Impact

January 2024

In this issue:

Happy New Year! New Year's Resolutions
What’s New: NHTSA Takes First Step Toward Alcohol Detection in New Cars
Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS)
OTC Commits to Launching a Low-Income Toll Program That Will Set a National Precedent
2023 Was the Deadliest Year for Traffic Fatalities in Portland
Are You Prepared for Winter Roadways?
How Are Your Winter Driving Skills?
Take Extra Caution in These Areas
Upcoming Events, Are You Prepared?

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What’s New:

NHTSA Takes First Step Toward Alcohol Detection in New Cars

The DADSS Program recently launched Driven to Protect | Connecticut. The initiative seeks to end drunk driving by advancing alcohol detection technology. Photo Credit: DADSS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking the first step toward making impaired-driving prevention technology standard in future vehicles. It's by way of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that it says will help lay the groundwork for potential alcohol-impairment detection technology standards in all new passenger vehicles when the technology is "mature".

The NHTSA made the announcement last month as it kicked off its holiday season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Essentially, the notice allows safety regulators to start gathering information about the state of the technology and how to deploy it.

The agency says alcohol impairment is one of the leading causes of death on our nation's roads. In 2021, the latest data available, 13,384 people were killed in drunk driving crashes.

The NHTSA Press Release goes on to read:

The negative economic and societal costs of impaired driving are enormous. NHTSA estimates that fatalities, injuries, and property damage from alcohol-impaired driving cost our society $280 billion in lost wages, lost quality of life, medical costs, and so much more. Impaired driving prevention technology is an action identified in the National Roadway Safety Strategy to significantly reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the nation's roadways in support of our vision of zero traffic deaths through vehicle features that promote driver safety and align with the principles of a safe system approach.

Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS)

A public-private research program called the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) has been working on impaired-driving prevention technology.

The partnership brings together the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), which represents the world's leading automakers, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

DADSS responded to last month's NTHSA announcement saying :

DADSS has developed two technologies – a breath system, and a touch system, that are designed to measure and precisely quantify blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in drivers and prevent a vehicle from moving.

DADSS says it's currently completing the necessary testing to ensure the technologies are fast, accurate, and reliable before being introduced to consumers. It most recently brought its Driven to Protect Initiative to Connecticut in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The initiative gives states the opportunity to test the DADSS alcohol-detection technology on their roads.

OTC Commits to Launching a Low-Income Toll Program That Will Set a National Precedent

On Dec. 12, the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) provided direction to extend eligibility for the low-income toll program to residents of both Oregon and Washington and to offer a 50% discount for customers with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level ($60K/year for a family of four). In addition to this program, members of federally recognized tribes, as well as transit, military, and emergency response vehicles will be exempt from tolls. ODOT will study additional discount options for the low-income toll program when more information on toll rates is available.

Specifically, the OTC provided the following direction for the low-income toll program:

Residents of Oregon and Washington would be eligible to sign up.
Customers with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level ($60,000/year for a family of four) would be eligible for a 50% discount on each trip.
ODOT will analyze whether additional discounts for households earning up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level can be offered and still meet the toll program's congestion management, revenue, and equity goals.

This direction was guided by recommendations provided on Nov. 9 by members of the Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee (EMAC) and ODOT staff based on years of engagement with trusted community organizations, community members, and historically underserved communities.

The draft administrative rules for the low-income toll program will be published for public review and comment following Department of Justice review in 2024. In addition to rules related to discounts and exemptions, the draft rules cover the toll rate setting process, customer accounts and enrollment, vehicle classification, and the toll payment process. ODOT plans to bring the rules to the OTC for possible adoption in mid-2024.

2023 Was the Deadliest Year for Traffic Fatalities in Portland

Fatal crashes over the holidays marked 2023 as the deadliest year on record for Portland traffic in the last three decades, according to Bureau of Transportation officials.

Why it matters:

Despite the city's efforts to reduce speed limits and increase police presence along high-crash corridors, it seems Portland is no closer to reaching its goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2025 — part of its multimillion-dollar Vision Zero project.

Driving the news:

Seven traffic-related deaths between Dec. 24-31 raised the number of fatalities last year to 68 — up from 63 in 2022 and 64 in 2021.

Of note:

The exact number of deadly crashes is preliminary and subject to change as the city's transportation department and the Portland Police Bureau's Traffic Division reconcile data after investigations conclude, Hannah Schafer, a PBOT spokesperson told Axios.

For example, the count does not include those who died from a medical event (like a heart attack) while driving.

Zoom in:

Of the deaths that occurred during the holidays, all took place in what transportation officials designate as "high crash networks" — streets and intersections where the majority of the crashes in the city take place and which are known for faulty street design and speeding.

Three of the deaths happened along NE 122nd Avenue (one being a hit-and-run) where officials said an average of five car crashes happen on the street every week.

Last year, PBOT received a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make safety improvements on NE 122nd by adding protected bike lanes, enhanced crosswalks and raised medians.

However, construction on those improvements isn't expected until 2026.

By the numbers:

Nearly three-quarters of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries on Portland streets occur at night, and 55% of pedestrians killed were experiencing homelessness at the time, according to data from the Vision Zero Action Plan update for 2023-25.

Officials also point to speeding and vehicle size as major factors for collisions.

What's happening:

PBOT is expected to receive $112 million over the next five years from the Portland Clean Energy Fund for climate-friendly projects, but the agency is still facing a $32 million budget deficit that will impact road infrastructure and management.

That's why it's asking voters (and the city council) to reinstate a 10-cent-per-gallon gas tax on the ballot in May that would fund new streetlights, repave streets and fill potholes.

Are You Prepared

for Winter Roadways?

Make sure your vehicle is in top operating condition, with clean headlights, good brakes, working windshield wipers and good tires. Slow down when approaching off-ramps, bridges, and shady spots where the snow often lingers longer. Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility. Be prepared for delays.

How Are Your Winter Driving Skills?

Before you head out to your snow area, it’s vital to check road and weather conditions. If it’s not shaping up for you, turn back and plan to return another day.

Some of us grew up in places where it was natural to drive in the snow; others, not so much. Either way, here are some winter driving tips to keep you and your loved ones safe:

1. Make sure your vehicle has clean headlights, good brakes, working windshield wipers and good tires.

2. Get your brakes and tires checked before traveling — tires should be properly inflated and have plenty of tread.

3. Carry chains and know how to use them. If you don’t have traction tires, practice installing chains on your car.

4. Check weather and road conditions on your route before you go at TripCheck (which also has live cameras) or by dialing 511. Allow extra travel time when it’s snowing and head out with at least a half a tank of fuel, just in case of emergency.

5. Consider public transit for visiting Mt. Hood: Visit Mt Hood Express to learn about park and rides and schedules.

6. Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility.

7. Always keep your eyes peeled for dangerous patches of black ice on shaded spots on the edge of a roadway — most common in the early morning when temperatures are lowest.

8. Accelerate and decelerate slowly and gently to avoid skids, especially on ice (never use cruise control).

9. Slow down when approaching off-ramps, bridges and shady spots where snow lingers longer. If the wheels lock up, ease off the brakes.

10. Keep about three times the distance as usual between yourself and the vehicle in front of you in case there’s a spinout or incident up ahead. There is less traction on slick, snowy roads.

11. While you’re driving, turn down the music and focus fully on the road, especially in dark or powdery conditions.

Take Extra Caution in These Areas

Highway 22:

If you’re traveling in the Salem area near Santiam Canyon, know that Highway 22 is still prone to mudslides, which become a concern with winter rainfall.

Here and in other wildfire-impacted corridors, watch for work crews, follow reduced speed limits, and use extreme caution driving through the area.

Fill your gas tank and pack plenty of food, water and supplies for your trip.

Interstate 84:

Many of Eastern Oregon’s best winter destinations are located just off I-84, from snowshoeing at Meacham Divide/Mt. Emily Sno-Park near La Grande, to backcountry skiing in the Eagle Cap Wilderness near Joseph, to downhill skiing at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in North Powder.

Yet the four-lane highway, which stretches from Portland to Idaho and Utah, is known to have inclement weather that causes difficult driving conditions and closures.

Particularly between Pendleton and Ontario, pay attention to significant grade increases and wind tunnels that can cause whiteouts and affect visibility. Be prepared to drive under the speed limit and look for ODOT warning signs.