Oregon TIM Responders

11/25/2025

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, and many Oregonians will be hitting the roads to visit family and friends. Wet, snowy or unpredictable weather could quickly turn travel plans upside down if you're not prepared.

Our crews will be out working through the holiday and around-the-clock - plowing snow, clearing debris, managing traffic and responding to weather impacts as they arise. They're doing everything they can to keep you moving safely. But with traffic increasing and winter conditions setting in, we as you to do your part too.

We're seeing more close calls between vehicles and highway workers. Please slow down, be patient and give crews plenty of room whether they're plowing, flagging traffic or responding in an emergency. Everyone deserves to make it home safely, including our crews.

Most construction work will pause over the holiday weekend, but some work zones remain in place. Please obey all posted signs and give workers space.

Tips for safe winter travel this holiday week:
🧘‍♂️ Expect delays. Thanksgiving travel is busy, no matter the weather. Plan ahead and allow extra time.
📍 Check conditions before your trip. Visit TripCheck.com for cameras, travel times and updated weather and road conditions.
🪧 Watch message signs. VMS signs provide critical updates about the road ahead - chain requirements, weather hazards and delays.
⛓️ Prepare for winter driving. Carry chains and know how to use them. Pack water, snacks, warm clothes, blankets, medications and anything you'd need if traffic slows to a crawl.
❄️ Drive for conditions. Rain, snow, fog or heavy traffic - slow down and leave more space between vehicles.
🧡 Give snowplows room. Never pass a snowplow on the right. The safest place to be in a snowstorm is behind the plow.
🤩 Choose a sober, focused and alert driver. Holiday meals and long days can make you drowsy - don't drive tired or otherwise impaired.
👀 Watch for people walking and biking. Visibility drops in winter weather and early darkness.

If you are looking for a less stressful option, consider car-free travel. Amtrak Cascades and many local transit agencies serve the Willamette Valley and beyond. Some services may be closed or operate on holiday schedules, so check before you go on our car-free options page: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/rptd/pages/plan-a-trip.aspx

No matter how or where you travel, be ready for changing conditions and look out for one another. Our crews, emergency responders and your fellow travelers all share the same goal: a safe and peaceful holiday weekend.

11/22/2025

Move Over Law. Have you heard of it? In the state of Oregon, you are required as a driver to move over one lane but if you are unable to move over, you must slow down to 5 MPH below the posted speed limit.

Every day responders and road personnel put themselves at risk while mitigating traffic related incidents or performing roadway maintenance. Let's do our part as responsible drivers to ensure their safety.
Oregon State Police Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon Tow Truck Association Oregon Association Chiefs of Police Oregon State Sheriffs' Association Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association (OVFA)

11/21/2025

Our crews respond to countless traffic incidents each day. These responses include multiple disciplines ranging from dispatch, transportation and tow all the way to fire and law enforcement.
Move over if able or slow down for our responders working on the road.
Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon State Police Oregon Tow Truck Association Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association Oregon Association Chiefs of Police Oregon State Sheriffs' Association

11/20/2025

As we continue , let’s talk about training.

Did you know that Oregon alone has trained almost 10,000 public safety personnel? I think it would be amazing to add your agency to that list of trained personnel. Let’s see if we can make you a TIM champion.

Where can I find this training, you ask. Simply reach out to [email protected] and we will happily coordinate with you to facilitate a training. It’s that simple.

Oregon State Police Oregon Tow Truck Association Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association (OVFA) State Sheriffs' Association Highway Administration

11/19/2025

Every day, police, fire, EMS, tow operators, and highway crews risk their lives on the roadside to keep us safe. When you are teaching your teen to drive, are you also teaching them your state’s move over law? This week is a reminder: driver education saves lives. Slow down, stay alert, and Move Over for flashing lights. A few extra seconds of caution can mean someone goes home to their family. Let’s make our roads safer—one mindful driver at a time. Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon State Police Federal Highway Administration Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association (OVFA) Oregon Tow Truck Association Oregon Fire Chiefs Association Oregon Association Chiefs of Police Oregon State Sheriffs' Association

11/18/2025

As we enter Crash Responder Safety Week , I want to give a HUGE thank you to our Office of the Governor for recognizing our efforts to make sure we all go home.

We were granted a Governors Proclamation in recognition of Crash Responder Safety Week. I am very humbled by the support of our state and the partnerships we are forging as we move forward with our message.
Oregon State Police Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association (OVFA) State Sheriffs' Association Oregon Tow Truck Association Federal Highway Administration

11/17/2025

November 17th – 21st is Crash Responder Safety Week. What does that mean?

Every year, too many of our first responders are struck while working roadway incidents. Struck by incidents remain one of the leading causes of line of duty deaths. Roadway incidents are one of the most dangerous environments for our first responders due to fast moving traffic, the unpredictable nature of drivers as well as many other environmental factors.

Crash Responder Safety Week was established to bring awareness to the dangers that responders face with an effort to eliminate (or at least minimize) the numbers of struck by incidents ensuring that our responders will be able to go home to their loved ones.

Our crash responders work to keep all road users safe. There are some simple steps we can take to ensure the safety of our responders. It is as simple as moving over, slowing down and remaining alert to responders working around an incident scene.
Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association (OVFA) Oregon Tow Truck Association Oregon Fire Chiefs Association Oregon Association Chiefs of Police

11/17/2025

This Crash Responder Safety Week, remember that safety starts with you! Slow down and move over for flashing lights. 🚔🚒🚑

*Move Over laws vary by state

09/04/2025

School is back in session! Words that often bring disappointment to our young ones and excitement to the parents.
Do you understand the rules of the road when it comes to a school zone?
In the state or Oregon, a school speed zone is classified as a section of road adjacent to a school or school crosswalk where a reduced speed of 20 MPH applies and is defined by school speed signs. This might be a stand alone sign or often a sign illuminated with flashing yellow lights.
What about school busses? Did you know that you must stop for a bus that is displaying flashing red lights and displaying a stop sign? Flashing amber lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload our children. Please prepare to stop in anticipation of the lights turning red and the stop sign being displayed. Only after the operator has turned off the lights can you safely pass again. There are very few exceptions to this law. Please refer to the Oregon Drivers Manual if you are not sure.
Here is to a safe and amazing school year! Stay safe out there.

12/17/2024

11/22/2024