Making an Impact
May 2020 - Volume 7 - Issue 8
The OHSU Doernbecher Tom Sargent Safety Center

In these challenging times, we would like to remind you that OHSU Doernbecher Tom Sargent Safety Center remains committed to the safety of Oregon's kids. Our team has been diligently working to adapt our programs and services in ways that will allow the community immediate access to valuable resources during this time.  

Our team is pleased to announce that we are now offering to all families:

Virtual Car Seat Education Session : A certified child passenger safety technician meets virtually with a family to provide education, technical assistance, and guidance on the installation and use of their child safety seat. While this service does not replace a traditional one-on-one car seat check, it can be a great resource for families until it is safe to begin in-person car seat checks again. To get more information, refer families, or register for a virtual education session, email:  safety@ohsu.edu . *Note: we are unable to offer any community car seat distributions at this time, however if you are working with a family in need of a car seat, please contact us so we can place them on a priority waiting list for when we resume in-person services.

Virtual Home Safety Consultation : Similar to our Car Seat Education sessions, this format allows us to meet virtually with families to provide individualized, age specific, home safety education. We are able to share applicable resources, troubleshoot areas of concern, and make suggestions for safety-related products to ensure that the family home is a safer environment for children. To schedule a consultation, call 503-418-5666 or email  safety@ohsu.edu .

Virtual Infant Safe Sleep Consultation : For families with a little one on the way or newborn, this is a great resource for learning about best practices in regards to infant sleep safety. To schedule a consultation, call 503-418-5666 or email  safety@ohsu.edu .

Phone Sales (Saturday Curbside Pickup):  Families that live locally (Portland Metro Area), are now able to place orders for safety products available at the Tom Sargent Safety Center over the phone (click here  to view available products) for Saturday pickup. Order pickup will be at the main entrance of OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital following protocols that adhere to all required social distancing and sanitizing guidelines (pickup timelines and further details provided at the time of order). To place an order, please call 503-418-5666 or email  safety@ohsu.edu .

We hope to spread the word about our new programs far and wide to provide access for as many families as possible, and appreciate your support in sharing about these services with your clients and networks. Please reach out if you have any questions or are in need of any additional injury prevention resources. Thank you for your partnership, and thank you for being out there doing your best to serve our community in these unique and uncertain times. 

Your officers are doing extra patrols to help keep you and your family safe during this pandemic. They are also out in your community passing out food boxes, delivering medications, and helping keep our spirits up. Please don't forget to move over and give them space to work when you pass them on the road doing this important job. Please make it a point to wave at them in appreciation when you pass them. We at Oregon Impact are thankful for the job they do for us every day.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Motorcycle crashes involving another motor vehicle continue to account for nearly half of all motorcyclist fatalities in the United States. Motorcyclists are inherently at more risk than motor vehicles because they lack many of the same safety features of automobiles. From a statistical perspective, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than other motorists.  NHTSA has a vested interest in addressing the types of motorist behaviors that pose a risk to motorcyclists. In years past, and enshrined in statutory language, these efforts have been bundled under the moniker of  Share The Road .
May is Work Zone Safety month in Oregon

Traffic on Oregon roads is lighter these days, but our work zones are still humming.

May is Work Zone Safety Month in Oregon, a chance to remind drivers: when you see orange, slow down and expect delays. As construction ramps up across the state this spring, keep an eye out for work zones, pay attention and watch your speed. It could save a life.
Oregon saw an average of 331 work zone crashes involving injuries each year between 2014 and 2018. During the same time, it saw an average of 24 crashes each year involving serious injuries or deaths.

An average of 532 people were injured and 26 killed or seriously injured each year between 2014 and 2018. Twenty-eight people were killed in work zone crashes. Of those, four were workers. Another 14 workers were injured.

“These types of injuries and deaths are preventable,” says Troy Costales, ODOT’s Transportation Safety Division Administrator. “Most work zone crashes happen because drivers aren’t paying attention. Taking your eyes or your attention off the road for even a few seconds can have deadly consequences.”

Distracted driving causes the majority of work zone crashes, followed by speeding and driving too fast for conditions. Oregon State Police, encourages drivers to always drive safe, obey speed limits, and to be especially attentive when you see highway workers and work zones. If you choose not to drive safe in highway work zones, OSP will be there watching to ensure our highway workers get home safely. 

What can you do?

  • Pay attention when you see orange signs, barrels, cones and barricades.
  • Obey flaggers and flagging devices.
  • Try to put yourself “in the zone” before you even get to the work zone. (Be mentally prepared and alert.)
  • Drive like you work there.
  • Obey all speed signs and remember to drive for conditions.
  • Call 511 or visit www.TripCheck.com to check routes, work zones, road and weather conditions before you head out.  
  • Move over to give workers more room when possible. Work zone lanes are often narrow.
  • Expect work zones in rural areas and remember that many projects are done at night.
  • Remember fines in work zones double whether workers are present or not.

Most of all, remember that the roads may seem empty – but they’re not. Keep driving like you work here, because we’re still at work.

“The highway construction industry in Oregon is continuing to work on badly needed projects to improve our roads and bridges and keep our state’s economy moving,” said Mike Salsgiver, Executive Director of Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia Chapter. “With reduced traffic counts, these projects can be completed at an accelerated rate while our workers take all necessary precautions to stay safe and keep working. We encourage those driving on Oregon’s roads and highways to follow the speed limit and protect our workers.”

ODOT and contractors are increasing the use of automated flagging assisted devices. These devices improve flagger safety by putting distance between them and traffic. Drivers can expect to see the devices on two lane highways throughout Oregon.

Help everyone stay safe and healthy. Slow down and pay attention in work zones. Not only in May, but year round.

More information: Learn more about our efforts to reduce injuries and deaths in work zones at  https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Pages/Work-Zone.aspx . And see how we use automated flagging devices to help protect flaggers in work zones across the state  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UULaZKhpaEw .


Car Seat Check Up Events

Oregon Impact along with most car seat safety programs in the US, is no longer providing in person/live car seat safety checks for the foreseeable future.
 
We know that car seat safety is very important, as it should be, for many new parents. We want you to know are here to help.
 
We are currently making appointments for car seat education sessions, along with other local partners. Please contact us for more information at 503-899-2220 or via email at  OregonCarSeatSafety@gmail.com .

Oregon Impact | www.oregonimpact.org
503-303-4954