Palouse Driver Education Campaign Video

The Palouse Driver Education Campaign will be making a video soon. We will be interviewing local police departments, first responders, sheriffs office, and anyone else involved in responding to crashes to the best of our abilities. We hope to use this video as a reminder to the WSU and UofI community that distracted driving and drowsy driving are a huge danger when you are behind the wheel. If you have questions or comments you would like us to ask or answer in this video, please leave a comment and share.

Here are samples of some of the questions we will be asking
- "What's the worst distracted driving offense you've seen?"
- "What is your response to people who mention it's unfair for emergency departments to use laptops and other communication devices?"
- "How do you feel about distracted driving and what would you do to prevent it?"
- "Do you see any correlation between out of state students being a higher percentage of distracted driving?"
- "What time of year and how often do you deal with drowsy drivers?"

Please be sure to visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/safepalousedrivers/ for more information on our campaign.
For all your travel information needs to and from Pullman be sure to visit www.safepalousedrivers.com

Go COUGS!! BESAFECOUGS!!

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Summer Construction and US195 Passing Lanes

Thank you WSDOT, WA state legislatures and other key stakeholders for inviting us to the groundbreaking ceremony of US195 passing lanes. We would like to thank all who worked tirelessly to bring 195 passing lanes a reality. Construction on Highway 195 from Colfax to Spokane began on April 18, 2018. This project will add new passing lanes along the US195 corridor as part of an expansion to help reduce the number of collisions and improve the user safety. Two passing lanes have already been built in 2017 while this new construction will add four more to a total of six. The construction will affect many who commute to Pullman through US195, including many WSU professors and students. Please expect delays, plan ahead, and be sure to visit our website at www.safepalousedrivers.com for live updates and traffic cams if you plan to travel locally or around the state. Also be sure to follow, like, and share us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/safepalousedrivers/

We would like to thank our state and local partners in our driver education campaign- the Washington State Patrol, Pullman PD, WSU PD, Colfax PD, Whitman County Sheriff's office, City of Pullman, Washington State University, Whitman County, Palouse RTPO, Our legislatures and many more who worked through many different ways to bring the added safety for all the users of US195. Now we will work towards getting SR26 passing lanes lined up earlier than 2024!! Hope we all benefit from this effort to keep our users safe and sound!!

Go COUGS!! BESAFECOUGS!!

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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Safety is a constant theme of our Palouse Driver Education Campaign, but sometimes appropriate to bring the broad topic to a focus. The weather is getting better, and with May deemed National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month by the National Safety Council, a conversation for two wheeled vehicles should be had. Here are some statistics and other talking points:

2016 Statistics

• Of all registered vehicles on US roads, motorcycles make up 3%.
• Motorcycle miles account for only .7% of all vehicle miles traveled in the US.
• 4,976 motorcycle riders and passengers died in crashes.
• Non-fatal injuries caused by crashes was upwards of 88,000.
• Of all traffic fatalities, motorcyclists accounted for 13%.
• 91% of motorcycle crash fatalities were male
• 26% of motorcycle crash fatalities were impaired by alcohol.
• Nearly half of all collisions occur at intersections.

Talking Safety to Riders

• Wear helmets marked by DOT, as they are guaranteed to meet safety standards set by law.
• Always use headlights.
• Wear appropriate clothing that is thick to prevent injury, and reflective to be easily seen.
• Don't speed so you can see and react to road hazards such as potholes, puddles, and gravel.
• Drive defensively and assume you can't be seen on the road.
• Be aware that riding with a passenger or any other added weight changes bike handling.

Talking Safety to Drivers

• Give adequate warning of lane switches with your blinker.
• Anticipate motorcycles' movements.
• Pay attention the vehicles in your surrounding area and be aware if you realize one seems to be missing.
• Double check blind spots.
• Don't drive distracted or drowsy and pay attention to your surroundings.
• Always use headlights.
• Be aware that with better weather comes more motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Statistics taken from NSC Injury Facts

Weeks over, Graduation is coming, Sun is staying

Hey everyone, it's Mae here.

This week we had a phone conference with the WSU transportation committee. The best news that any transportation office can hear is ACCIDENT FREE TRAVEL! That's right. This past WSU Mom's weekend, and Spring Break saw no new collisions along State Route 26. With parents, friends, and family flooding into Pullman for the graduation ceremony this Saturday the efforts are higher than ever. On that note, congratulations WSU and UofI class of 2018. We at the Palouse RTPO hope that your time in our community takes you wherever you want to go. Be safe on your travels back home.

For travel information including live road cams, weather advisories, and construction updates, visit us at www.safepalousedrivers.com

Like and share us on Facebook for travel tips and updates at www.facebook.com/safepalousedrivers