The Newberg Graphic Online

Thanksgiving drivers encouraged to take care

Public safety — Police advise caution due to traffic congestion, holiday revelers

• Published: 11/25/2009 1:49:18 PM

   Highway travel is expected to again be heavy during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday as families pile into their cars and head off for their destinations. State and local police departments are encouraging drivers to take care.
   “There are a few ingredients we urge everyone to remember to include in their ‘traffic safety recipe,’” said Oregon State Police Superintendent Timothy McLain. “Drive carefully, alert and sober ... and, of course, buckle up each and every trip — night or day.”
   During the 102-hour holiday period that started Wednesday evening and runs through Sunday night, OSP troopers will be aiding Yamhill County sheriff’s deputies and Newberg-Dundee police officers to enforce seatbelt laws as part of Oregon’s ongoing “Click it or Ticket” program.
   A major enforcement site in the Newberg area will be Interstate 5 at exit 271 near the Woodburn outlet mall. In addition to Thanksgiving revelers, OSP Lt. Eric Judah pointed out that large numbers of shoppers are expected to pass through the freeway exchange for the stores’ annual “Black Friday” sale.
   Heavy traffic congestion and significant back ups for several miles in both directions are anticipated throughout Thursday night and into Friday morning, increasing the potential for crashes in the area.
   “With ODOT’s help, we will work to keep the left and center lanes moving as most shoppers and travelers will use the righthand lane to exit off the freeway,” Judah said. “Troopers working in the area will aggressively look for those who drive down the freeway shoulder, or drivers who stop in the left and center lanes to merge at the last possible chance prior to the exit.”
   An Oregon Department of Transportation command post at the top of the Woodburn interchange will monitor traffic during the night. Four ODOT incident response trucks will be on hand and will utilize reader boards on I-5 southbound prior to the Woodburn area, advising through traffic to use left and center lanes and all mall traffic to use the right lane.
   ODOT will also use its Park-n-Ride property near the Denny’s restaurant on Highway 214 just east of I-5 as parking for shoppers the night of the sale. The space can hold several hundred cars and the mall will provide a shuttle to and from the stores.
   “Our objective is to keep traffic moving in both directions with minimal delay and to help shoppers get to the sales safely,” Judah said.
   According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), last year’s Thanksgiving holiday was  marked by two traffic fatalities in Oregon — the lowest reported number since 1999. One of Oregon’s deaths was a pedestrian attempting to cross I-5, and the other was in an alcohol and speed-involved crash on I-5 in southwest Portland. Last year, OSP troopers also reported 53 DUII arrests.
   As you load up the car for a Thanksgiving trip, keep these safety pointers in mind:
   — Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving, starting with good tires, a good battery and a full tank of gas, as well as an emergency kit and chains, especially if traveling over mountain passes.
   — Drive according to conditions. If it’s wet, icy, snowy or foggy, slow down to at least a four-second following distance from the car in front and use your headlights even during the day to help other drivers see you. Don’t use cruise control in bad weather conditions.
   — Make sure any child safety seats are properly adjusted. The law requires children be placed in safety seats until they weigh 40 pounds. Infants must ride in rear-facing seats until they reach both 1 year of age and 20 pounds. Children more than  40 pounds must use booster seats until they’ve reached 4-9 tall, unless they have reached age 8.
   — Check road conditions by visiting www.TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1, and always have a designated driver for any holiday activities that include alcohol.
   — Report any possible intoxicated driver or dangerous driver to the Oregon State Police at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or call 9-1-1.

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