Making an Impact

April 2022 - Volume 9 - Issue 7

GHSA, GM Collaborate to Combat Distracted Driving

With traffic deaths surging, every driver can help make roads safe by stowing their phone and focusing on driving

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Distracted Driving Awareness Month kicking off on April 1, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and General Motors (GM) are proud to announce the development of an action-oriented, recommendation-rich report that will take a new look at distracted driving, with expected publication this summer. The goal of the report is to reduce this persistent yet preventable driving behavior and change the social norm so all road users get home safely.

Supported by GM, GHSA will release the comprehensive report, which will examine data collection and other distracted driving challenges and identify actions that State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) and their partners can take to effectively address them. Through GM grant funding, GHSA will also offer competitive grants to SHSOs to help them implement the recommended actions in the forthcoming report. Grants will fund distracted driving prevention activities in several awarded states and will also serve as a model for other states and their partners seeking to expand their anti-distraction efforts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported earlier this month that 3,142 people died in distraction-related crashes in the U.S. in 2020, accounting for 8.1% of roadway fatalities. Additionally, another 400,000 people are injured each year in distracted-related crashes. However, the true numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting. Distracted driving is especially dangerous for people walking, biking or otherwise outside of a vehicle. Non-motorists accounted for nearly one in five distracted driving crash deaths in 2019, according to NHTSA.

“General Motors is committed to helping create a future with zero crashes, and we’re thrilled to support GHSA as they aim to reduce distracted driving and unsafe behavior on the road,” said Regina Carto, Vice President of Global Product Safety & Systems at GM. “GHSA’s efforts to identify actions that communities can take to reduce this unsafe behavior can help GM’s vision become a reality.”

Additionally, GM’s recent proprietary “Future of Safety Research Study” found that while hand-held texting and driving can increase your risk of a crash, so can elevated emotional states. The study found that drivers believe that stress is a key factor influencing their focus on the road with most respondents admitting that their emotional state impacts their driving and one-third reported they have pulled over because they felt too emotional to drive.

Changing the social norm about distracted driving is critical for reducing and ultimately eliminating the crashes, injuries and deaths caused by this risky behavior. A 2021 survey by AAA found that more than half of drivers (51%) admitted they text and/or email on their phone while alone in the vehicle. National and state driver surveys indicate that distracted driving is a top road safety concern, but observational studies affirm that mobile phone use behind the wheel is rampant. Too many drivers have adopted the mindset that “I’m able to use my phone and still drive safely – it’s the other drivers I’m worried about.” That thinking is dangerous and deadly.

“Look around and you’ll see distracted drivers everywhere – it’s a safety epidemic,” said GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins. “This unique collaboration will shine a light on this problem and help advance one of the core principles outlined in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which calls for safer people by encouraging safer behaviors. Making attentive driving the norm will benefit everyone on the road.”

While cell phones and texting are common causes of distraction, they are not the only ones. Anything that takes your eyes and attention off the road, even for a second – changing the radio, eating or drinking, and personal grooming – is distracting and puts everyone on the road at risk. Every driver can do their part to make our roads safer by stowing their phone, avoiding other distractions and speaking up if they are a passenger in a vehicle with an inattentive driver. Despite the pervasiveness of the problem, there are proven and promising solutions that can help reduce distracted driving, including in-vehicle technology that detects and alerts inattentive drivers, apps that reward drivers for not using their phone, outreach and engagement that informs drivers about the dangers of distraction to themselves and others, and equitable enforcement of strong state laws.

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About GHSA

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Visit ghsa.org for more information or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About GM

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

CONTACT: Adam Snider (GHSA), 202-580-7930,

202-365-8971 (after hours)

Kristen Ackerman (GM), 248-308-8187

Portland’s first intersection safety camera starts operation today at SE Stark Street and 122nd Avenue, a milestone for Portland's Vision Zero safety campaign

Warnings start Monday, April 11; Citations start May 11

A new warning sign installed in advance of the SE 122nd Avenue and Stark Street intersection. Photo by PBOT.

(April 5, 2022) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), in partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, is expanding the city’s automated traffic enforcement program as part of the City of Portland’s Vision Zero program to end traffic deaths. The bureaus will install intersection safety cameras at some of Portland’s most dangerous intersections to reduce dangerous driving behaviors. Intersection safety cameras are a new type of traffic enforcement camera in Portland that will issue citations for both speeding and red light running.

The city’s first intersection safety camera was installed yesterday at SE Stark Street and 122nd Avenue and will be tested until April 11, when it will begin issuing warnings. On May 11, after a 30-day warning period, the camera will begin issuing citations in the mail to drivers for speeding and red light running. A typical citation is $170 for speeding and $270 for running a red light (failure to obey a traffic control device). New signage on SE Stark Street warns drivers that traffic laws are enforced by cameras.

"Speed safety cameras have proven to be a cost-effective way to reduce dangerous driving on our streets," Portland Transportation Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said. "I have been pushing for these cameras to be installed as soon as possible, and I will continue to advocate for more of this technology, which can reduce red-light running as well as speeding. I also want to thank the Oregon legislature for recently passing our bill that will allow us to deploy more of these cameras without requiring police to review the tickets, instead allowing them to stay focused on emergency response. Thanks to Rep. Reardon, Rep. Smith Warner and Sen. Dembrow, we will save lives for generations to come."

"Camera technology is a critical tool for us as we work to eliminate the traffic violence on our streets," PBOT Director Chris Warner said. "Thanks to support from the City Council and the legislature, we will be able to install more of these cameras, focusing on the deadliest high crash corridors and intersections in Portland."

The new red light and speed safety camera installed at the SE 122nd Avenue and Stark Street intersection. Photo by PBOT.

Why are PBOT and PPB installing more cameras?

SE Stark and 122nd Avenue consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous intersections in Portland. From 2015 to 2019, 123 deaths or injuries occurred at this intersection. The speed limit on SE Stark Street is 30 miles per hour at this intersection. Excessive speed and red light running contributed to 24 crashes that killed three people and injured 37 others from 2015 to 2019.

For years, community members and organizations have requested interventions to make travel safer on SE Stark Street, a high crash corridor that links Portlanders with jobs, education, and commerce. In a 2018 scientific survey of 400 Portlanders conducted by DHM Research, 75% of respondents expressed support for safety cameras to enforce speed limits on streets with high crash rates. Portland’s speed safety cameras have demonstrated a significant reduction in speeding. A 2020 speed study showed a 94% decrease in top end speeding (11 mph or more over the speed limit) from 2016 to 2020 on all four corridors where PBOT has speed safety cameras installed. Speeding is a top contributing factor to deadly crashes across the Portland region. Traveling at excessive speeds increases the likelihood that a crash will occur and increases the severity of crashes when they do happen. The faster people drive, the longer it takes them to react to and to bring their vehicle to a stop once they have hit the brakes.

Upgrades and additional traffic safety cameras coming to Portland

The next planned camera is at SE Stark Street and 148th Avenue and is expected to be installed later this spring. Fixed speed cameras for NE Columbia Boulevard and NE Sandy Boulevard are currently in the design phase, with construction expected this spring.

The City of Portland currently operates 10 red light running cameras throughout Portland. Several of Portland’s existing red light running cameras will be upgraded to intersection safety cameras between 2022-2023 and will begin issuing citations for speeding, in addition to red light running.

For more than 20 years, Portland Police have used cameras placed in police vans, staffed by officers, to provide speed enforcement, moving them from place to place. PBOT led the effort to change state law in 2015 to allow Portland to also use cameras permanently mounted on posts to provide speed enforcement, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Safer Outer Stark:

Approximately $10 million of additional safety improvements are funded for Stark Street between SE 108th and SE 162nd avenues. Design for these improvements is expected to begin this year, with construction beginning in late 2023 or 2024. For more information, visit the project website: https://www.portland.gov/transportation/planning/safer-outer-stark

PBOT leads the citywide effort to achieve Vision Zero, the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities on city streets. With the understanding that all traffic fatalities are preventable, Vision Zero calls for the use of proven safety methods such as photo radar for speed enforcement to reduce speeding -- one of the leading causes of deaths and serious injuries on our streets.

Learn more about Vision Zero, the City’s effort to end traffic deaths and serious injuries, at visionzeroportland.com

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the city’s transportation system and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at portland.gov/transportation

New funding will help ODOT protect vehicles and wildlife

For more information, contact Peter Murphy, 541-325-2258

Travelers and wildlife are always on the move. Unfortunately, those paths often cross in tragic ways. Every year in our state there are over 6,500 reported crashes involving wildlife, and one out of every five known mule deer deaths is caused by a vehicle.

Not only do the collisions affect wildlife, but they cost millions to vehicle owners who struggle with bills for damage, insurance, and doctor visits – not to mention the loss of life.

But hope for safer wildlife passage is on the horizon. The Oregon Legislature recently passed a bill allocating $7 million in general funds for ODOT to invest in wildlife corridor projects. This is a special one-time allocation that will go directly towards keeping cars and wildlife on separate paths.

In recent years, the Oregon Department of Transportation has had great success with wildlife undercrossing structures. Five crossings have been built to date in the state, all on U.S. 97, and have shown a huge reduction in wildlife collisions: around 86%. Other states in the west have also found great success with wildlife passage programs and infrastructure. California and Utah both have 50 wildlife passage structures, Nevada has 23, and Colorado leads the pack at 69.

Cidney Bowman, Wildlife Passage coordinator for ODOT, already has ideas about how to put this new money to good use. Bowman says there are many ways to help wildlife and reduce crashes.

“Wildlife undercrossings are one option, but the money could also help fund studies, retrofit existing structures, and pay for research into new wildlife detection technology,” says Bowman. “It’s great. This money is what we've been asking for - for a long time.”

While ODOT has recently focused its efforts in central Oregon, Bowman says ODOT is looking to contribute to projects all over the state, including supporting a project that the Burns Paiute Tribe already has in the works.

Improving safety on U.S. 20

Calla Hagle, Natural Resources director for the Burns Paiute Tribe, has been overseeing a feasibility study on how wildlife travel along Highway 20, which winds through the traditional homelands of the tribe.

“In 2016, we were prompted by a high number of mule deer-vehicle collisions and a declining mule deer population to begin researching and compiling data on mule deer movement, habitat use, road crossings, and vehicle collisions,” Hagle says of the feasibility study. “It’s one of the worst deer-vehicle collision hotspots in the state.”

The study describes options such as retrofitting existing structures like culverts and bridges to make them available to mule deer for passage.

“To the tribe, mule deer are important both for their intrinsic cultural value, and as an important source of game. Mule deer populations are in decline throughout their range,” says Hagle.

Not only are mule deer important to the tribe, but Hagle says the cost of doing nothing is high.

“Oregonians spend millions of dollars each year on vehicle repairs and possible injuries,” says Hagle. The feasibility study estimates that $16 million dollars was spent over 12 years on Highway 20 in Malheur County alone.

Sustainable funding moving forward

While this new funding will go a long way toward making our highways safer, ultimately, says ODOT’s Bowman, the goal is to have yearly dedicated funding for wildlife passage, similar to how the state funds its fish passage program.

Hagle describes a recent report from the Oregon Action Team on Ungulate Migration that identifies $22 million to $35 million in immediate funding needs for wildlife crossing projects across the state.

“We expect that this additional funding from the Oregon Legislature will help to directly fund wildlife passage projects as well as, and perhaps more importantly, an investment of critical match for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding,” says Hagle.

With more consistent money coming in to the wildlife passage program, and a potential match in grant funding from the federal government, Oregon is on its way to safer roads for drivers and animals alike.  

Wildlife undercrossing on U.S. 97 near Gilchrist

May 2022 is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

In 2019, there were 5,014 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, a decrease from 2018 (5,038). These deaths accounted for 14% of the total highway fatalities that year.

Even the smallest momentary lapse in a vehicle driver’s awareness can result in the death of an unseen motorcyclist.

Note: No one may alter, edit, or change a NHTSA TV ad or video. However, a State may submit a request to NHTSA for NHTSA to “retag” the ad or video. “Retag” means to place the State logo in the NHTSA TV ad or video. Click here for more information.