Summer Safety Tips

Summer Safety with the PRTPO 

As the wheat fields grow and college students return home, the Palouse welcomes in a new season. These past two weeks, Washington State University, Lewis and Clark State College, and the University of Idaho celebrated the newest class of alumni. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2021!  We are so proud of your accomplishments and can't wait to see where your degree takes you. We are also celebrating the end of the school year, congrats to all students for working hard and persevering through a difficult school year. With the official start of summer upon us, the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization is looking forward to a fun and safe Summer. Regardless of where or how you are traveling this Summer, it is critical to work together to make our roadways a safer place. 

Traveling Home for the Summer 

Over 10,000 students will be leaving the Palouse region for the Summer and heading home. With increased traffic on roadways, it is important to remain vigilant and prepared for unforeseen situations. When driving long distances, remember to always stay focused on the road. Always pull over to address any possible distractions and stay alert at all times. 

It is also important to be prepared for changing road conditions. When traveling long distances, you may experience a variety of road and weather conditions. During this time of the year, be aware of thunderstorms, rain, and wind that can come in quickly. Checking road conditions before hitting the road is also extremely important in ensuring a safe and prepared ride home. 

Share the road! 

As the temperatures continue to rise, more and more bikes and pedestrians will be hitting the road. Biking and walking is a great way to stay fit and reduce your carbon footprint, however, it can also be dangerous if motorists and bikers are not prepared. If you plan on biking, remember to check your brakes air, and chains and check bike routes before hitting the road. It is also important to remember to always wear a helmet, use hand signals and ride with the flow of traffic. If you are a motorist, it is also important to always be aware of your surroundings and watch for bike lanes. Sharing the road and being considerate of their signals and presence is key to keeping everyone safe. 

Happy Memorial Day! 

Next weekend is memorial day weekend and we hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend! Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day. This federal holiday honors and mourns all military personnel who have lost their lives in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The PRTPO gives their gratitude and thanks to all who have served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

Memorial Day Weekend is also the "unofficial start of summer" and we are excited to welcome warmer temperatures, lake days, BBQs, and summer vacations. According to AAA, 37 Million Americans will travel nationwide this holiday weekend. With increased traffic on the roadways, it is imperative to practice safe driving habits. Wherever you may be traveling, remember to never look at your phone or let any other distractions take your eyes off of the roadways. It is also important to remember to always wear your seatbelt and check road conditions before hitting the road. Most importantly, remember to always stay alert and never drink and drive. 

What's next for the Palouse Driver Safety Campaign? 

Join us next Friday, May 28 at 5 PM PST via Instagram and Facebook Live for our monthly workshop! This month we will be covering more summer safety tips to keep everyone safe on our roadways this summer. You can also catch up on our latest podcasts at https://open.spotify.com/show/6dn0Gz4HtJ5uWJMzJwGaS8 

Remember to us on social media for the latest safety tips and traffic updates! Have a great weekend and stay safe!