Lane County officials announced on April 8 that impaired and distracted driving have contributed to a rise in fatal and serious injury crashes, particularly on rural roads. Between 2018 and 2022, there were 220 deaths or serious injuries from traffic crashes in these areas, with roadway departure being the most common type of incident. Alcohol impairment was identified as the leading contributing factor in all serious crashes.
The announcement comes as April is recognized as both National Alcohol Awareness Month and Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Officials say this dual focus aims to encourage safer behavior on local roads and promote community health.
“Cell phone use and any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from safe driving are distracted driving behaviors,” said Becky Taylor, Lane County senior transportation planner. “Distracted driving endangers everyone on the road including other drivers and passengers, and people walking or biking.”
Luis Pimentel-Mendia, Lane County alcohol and drug prevention coordinator, said: “Each year, more than 2,500 people in Oregon die from excessive drinking, raising questions about how alcohol became so embedded in everyday life and what steps we can take to protect our health. With one in five Oregon adults drinking excessively, this month offers an opportunity for people in Lane County to rethink their relationship with alcohol and consider ways to support those who want to drink less.”
Officials provided several tips for residents: planning ahead by designating a driver if consuming alcohol at events; setting drink limits; alternating alcoholic drinks with water; eating food while drinking; seeking support from friends or loved ones; avoiding triggers for excessive drinking; pulling over before using phones while driving; asking passengers to handle messages; using “Do Not Disturb” modes; or keeping phones out of reach when behind the wheel.
Lane County promotes community well-being through health programs and youth initiatives according to the official website. The county maintains key facilities for government operations according to its website, covers more than 4,600 square miles of varied terrain according to county sources, provides essential public services such as safety, health care, elections as reported by officials, features diverse landscapes ranging from urban centers to coastal areas according to its official site, extends services across western Oregon communities according to county information, operates under a home rule structure designed to enhance public service quality as described by Lane County’s official website.
More resources are available at www.rethinkthedrink.com. For additional information about distracted driving visit NHTSA.gov/DistractedDriving. Information about the Transportation Safety Action Plan can be found at LaneCountyOR.gov/TowardZeroDeaths.
