Be Safe Driving School

05/01/2026

Red light/stop sign running and seat belt use will be a Traffic Safety focus in May

With a noticeable increase in some types of crashes, Eugene Police is making traffic safety a top priority in 2026. In addition to the Traffic Safety Unit being out on the roads, all Eugene Police Patrol units will be stopping vehicles committing traffic violations in 2026. Each month, the department’s officers will focus on specific infractions. In May, this will be Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device, and Failure to Use Seatbelt.

What you need to know:

Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device (ORS 811.265) - the person is driving a vehicle and fails to obey the directions of any traffic control device or fails to obey any specific traffic control device described in ORS 811.260 (lights, lane markings, signs, etc.).

Red means stop. You must come to a complete stop at a stop sign before entering the intersection.
Yellow means stop (unless you can’t). If you accelerate you are in violation of this offense and at risk of being a involved in a crash.
Green means you can go (but look first)

• Bicycles are vehicles. However, they are allowed to treat stop signs like a yield sign. This does not apply to electronically controlled intersections! All other requirements and movements for vehicles apply to bicycles.

The financial cost:
Violations are Class B Violation - $300 EGM / $265 EGC

In Oregon, failing to wear a seatbelt is a Class D traffic violation with fines up to $265 and potential impacts on your driving record and insurance.

Failing to Property Use Safety Belts (ORS 811.210) -

The financial cost:
Class D Violation $150 EGM / $115 EGC

The Eugene Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit is reminding drivers about the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt and proper child safety restraints. The Oregon laws regarding child safety include requirements that children ride in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least two years old. The requirements better protect the child’s head, neck, and spine from potential crash injuries. This is because a rear-facing seat spreads crash forces evenly across the seat and child’s body while also limiting forward or sideways motion of the head. A child over age two must continue to ride in a car seat with harness or in a booster until they reach age eight or 4’ 9” in height and the adult belt fits them correctly.

Seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Being buckled up during a crash helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle; being ejected from a vehicle is almost always deadly.

The Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit, Eugene Police patrol officers, and participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. In Eugene, the presumptive fine for a seat belt violation is $150.

For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.

05/01/2026

Keeping tabs on pedestrian safety at 17th/Patterson


Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit will be conducting a special pedestrian safety operation at 17th and Patterson Street, staffing TSU officers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.

The Traffic Safety Unit uses a decoy “pedestrian” to walk back and forth at the intersection within the marked crosswalk. Traffic cones are set near the intersection as a marker set to allow vehicles ample time and distance to perceive and react to the pedestrian in the crosswalk.

The Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit would like to remind all roadway users to be extra careful in areas known to be occupied by high volumes of pedestrians.

Drivers must be aware of pedestrian laws and what they are required to do in response to the presence of pedestrians, taking extra precautions in areas dense with pedestrians.

Pedestrians must be vigilant and be responsible in their own part of personal safety while crossing a roadway.

Under Oregon law both drivers and pedestrians must act with “due regard.” In short, just because someone has the right-of-way, doesn’t mean they can act in a manner that could have a negative outcome or get themselves or another hurt.

04/23/2026

Always follow these steps when lane changing (including merges) and turning.
Mirror (inside rear).
Signal.
Mirror (side).
Over your shoulder (blind spot check)
Go if you’re good.

MSMOG

Mirrors are one of the most powerful tools a driver has—but they’re not perfect. They give you awareness, not certainty. That’s why one simple habit separates a safe driver from a careless one: physically checking your blind spot.

Every vehicle has areas around it that mirrors simply cannot cover. No matter how well you adjust your rear-view and side mirrors, there will always be a small zone—usually just behind and to the side of your car—where another vehicle, bike, or even a pedestrian can disappear from view. This is called the blind spot, and it’s where many accidents happen, especially during lane changes.

A lot of drivers become overconfident with mirrors. They glance quickly, see a clear reflection, and assume the road is safe. But that assumption can be dangerous. A motorcycle moving fast, a car sitting just outside your mirror angle, or even a cyclist hugging the lane edge can go completely unnoticed if you rely only on mirrors.

This is where your eyes come in. A quick shoulder check—just a brief glance over your shoulder in the direction you intend to move—can reveal what mirrors miss. It takes less than a second, but it can prevent a serious collision. Think of it as your final confirmation step before making a move.

Good driving isn’t about speed or showing off skills—it’s about awareness and control. When you combine mirror checks with a blind spot glance, you create a complete picture of your surroundings. This habit becomes even more important in high-traffic areas, on highways, and in cities where vehicles constantly change lanes.

Timing is also crucial. The correct sequence is simple: check your mirrors, signal your intention, and then quickly check your blind spot before changing lanes. Skipping any of these steps breaks the safety chain. Indicators tell others what you plan to do, but your responsibility is to ensure it’s actually safe to do it.

For beginners, turning your head while driving might feel uncomfortable at first. You might worry about losing focus on the road ahead. But with practice, it becomes natural and smooth. The key is to keep the movement quick and controlled—just enough to scan the blind spot without taking your attention away for too long.

Modern cars sometimes come with blind spot monitoring systems—those little warning lights on side mirrors. They’re helpful, but they’re not foolproof. Technology can fail, sensors can miss things, and over-relying on them can make drivers careless. Your eyes are still your most reliable safety feature.

Also, remember that blind spot checks aren’t only for lane changes. They’re equally important when merging into traffic, overtaking another vehicle, or even when turning at intersections where cyclists or pedestrians might be present.

Safe driving is built on small habits done consistently. Checking your blind spot is one of those habits that might seem minor, but it has a huge impact. It shows that you’re not just reacting—you’re thinking ahead and taking responsibility for your safety and the safety of others on the road.

So next time you drive, don’t just trust your mirrors. Use them, respect them—but always confirm with your own eyes. Because in driving, what you don’t see can hurt you—but what you double-check can save lives.

Mirrors help, but your eyes confirm. Always check your blind spot.

04/23/2026

Plan ahead for road closures this Sunday.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Eugene Marathon This Sunday – Plan for street closures and detours.
The Eugene Marathon is this Sunday, April 26, between 6 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and part of the course runs through Springfield. Expect street closures, detours, and no-parking zones in the Glenwood area, Downtown, and West D Street starting at 4 a.m. and lasting until noon.

While participants and spectators gear up for race day, our Operations Division is preparing the route so everything runs smoothly. From placing street barriers and signs to coordinating road closures, a lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into making the event feel seamless. If possible, avoid these areas during these times. If you do travel in these areas, please follow all traffic control signs and be patient.

🗺️ Check out the full traffic impact map and plan ahead using the link below.
https://springfield-or.gov/2026-eugene-marathon-traffic-detour/

04/23/2026

We recently asked to share this info, so we found the Driving Manual that outlines safe driving practices!

• Drive as close as you safely can to the right side of the road, stop and turn off the engine. Do not stop in an intersection or pull into the center median of a highway.
• Limit your movements and those of any passengers.
• Keep your hands on the steering wheel. Passengers should keep their hands in plain view.
• Show your driving privilege and/or vehicle registration only when requested.
• Stay in your vehicle. Do not get out unless requested.
• If it is dark, turn on the vehicle’s interior light after stopping and before the officer approaches.
• Do not argue with the officer at the scene. Traffic violations and traffic crimes charged against you are decided in court.

04/22/2026

A split-second glance can turn into flashing lights — or an emergency. Stay focused to avoid a ticket, or worse. 💸🚑 Put the Phone Away or Pay.

04/22/2026

Don’t let a notification steal your attention — or your safety. Put the Phone Away or Pay.

04/20/2026

Sky-high plans this 420? Make sure driving isn’t one of them. Arrange for a sober ride. If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

04/20/2026

Imagine the adventures waiting for you this summer! Sign up for driver’s education for June, and you may have your license by July!

*teens must be at least 16, have had their permit for at least six months, and completed and passed driver’s education to obtain their license.

02/28/2026