Spring break for Oregon schools means more people on the roads traveling for vacations, skiing, or trips to the beach. It isn’t just families out on the road; there are a number of youthful drivers out on day trips with their friends, shopping, or returning home late at night after parties. Traffic will be heavier and riskier, especially if texting, drugs, or alcohol are involved. Historically, motor vehicle collisions for young drivers increase during spring break.
The Oregon department of Transportation (ODOT) reminds youthful drivers that even though they are on vacation, it is important to abide by the rules of the road which include no texting, no driving while on the phone, and no drinking and driving. In Oregon, it is illegal for anyone to use a cell phone while driving. It is also illegal for anyone to text while driving.
Oregon’s Minor in Possession law prohibits minors from possessing or consuming alcohol. If caught violating this law, minors can lose their license for a year – even if they don’t have one yet and even if they weren’t driving.
“Impaired or distracted driving can lead to tragic consequences,” according to Oregon Department of Transportation Youth Safety Program Manager Sue Riehl.
“We lose young people every year to impaired driving, and that’s terrible,” Riehl said. “Take a moment to imagine the pain that families and loved ones feel when a young person dies due to impaired or distracted driving.”
In the past, there have been a number of accidents with youthful drivers during spring break week. Play it safe and abide by the rules of the road.