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INTRODUCTION

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority are encouraging Oklahomans to drive safely this year by emphasizing the importance of seat belt safety and work zone safety. Click on the tabs above or continue scrolling to find more information about the resources available to you, our state’s progress and why buckling your seat belt and driving slow in work zones helps saves lives.

Seat Belt Safety

SEAT BELT SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

The national estimate of seat belt use by adult front-seat passengers in 2020 was 90.3 percent. In Oklahoma, the seat belt usage is 84 percent — ranking us at No. 43 nationally. Though 84 percent may seem high to some, we can and should aim higher when so many fatalities are preventable.

 

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is supporting increased seat belt usage statewide as one of Oklahoman’s Top Ten initiatives with a goal of increasing usage by 10 percent within the next few years.

 

Did you know wearing your seat belt could reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent? The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority ask motorists to be our safety partners by buckling up each and every time they get into a vehicle.

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Seat belts are the most effective safety feature available in vehicles today.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Buckling Up Makes a Difference

Shelly Williams speaks out about the importance of buckling your seat belt and shares how the loss of her 17-year-old son, Cody, in a crash still impacts her family today.

No Excuses

Whatever your excuse is, it’s not good enough. Wear your seat belt — It’s Not Just About You.

I Buckle

These Oklahomans buckle up. Do you?

Buckle Up OK

The most important decision you can make.

SEAT BELT SAFETY RESOURCES

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Work Zone Safety

WORK ZONE SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

Did you know the top three causes of work zone fatalities are speeding, following too closely and distracted driving? Eliminating these dangerous driving habits will help keep you and others safe. Work zones change frequently, and many new ones may be put in place as the construction season continues. We urge drivers to check for work zones before travelling by using our app, checking traffic advisories or a map of current work zones at www.odot.org or viewing current traffic conditions at www.oktraffic.org.

 

We want to thank drivers for paying attention in work zones, obeying the speed limits and leaving adequate distance between themselves and workers and other cars.

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Slow Down in Work Zones

Use caution in all work zones.

Honoring the Fallen

Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Sixty-one ODOT employees have lost their lives in work zones in the department’s history. ODOT has lost more employees in the line of duty than any other state agency other than the military.

James Dawkins       

B. A. Reynolds        

Henry Cornelius      

L. C. Sanders          

Jim Nash      

James A. Lile           

Lawrence E. Lane

Lawrence A. Felkel Jr.

Connell R. Duncan 

James Johnson

Alex Morgan

Arthur L. Dooley

Coy Blair

Cecil Honsinger

Riley D. Wilson

William S. Nichols

Leonard Spain

Clarence L. Clay

Alex Manous

Hugh E. Storts

7/21/1931

5/14/1940

11/9/1953

11/15/1953

8/17/1955

3/25/1957

3/25/1957

3/25/1957

6/19/1958

8/819/58

11/27/1958

11/27/1958

12/24/1958

10/7/1960

3/9/1961

5/7/1963

6/4/1963

7/24/1963

4/16/1964

7/3/1964

F. Leonard Stroyick

James Earldon Rose

Carl M. Strain

Overton Love

Norris D. Crager

Sammie D. Wilson

Ray Caldwell

F. W. Motley

Donald Killian

Austion Behn

Tom Carlile

Luey V. Holland

Oather J. Dryden

Clarence Maggard

John E. Botts

Orville E. Holman

Pat Hobbs

Oscar Standeford Jr.

Joe K. Battle

James D. Berry

Paul E. Hatcher

5/25/1965

11/8/1965

12/3/1965

11/22/1966

7/28/1967

8/10/1967

9/11/67

9/2/1969

6/8/1970

11/9/1970

5/18/1971

7/16/1971

2/18/1972

3/13/1973

10/10/1973

10/7/1975

4/4/1977

9/7/1977

7/24/1978

9/6/1978

1/24/1979

V. Lanell Shindler

Robert L. Scott

Donald D. Boyd

Robert Keesee

Gene Boatright

Leon N. Harp Sr.

Roy B. Bowman

Herbert A. Albers

Gary D. Ledbetter

Carolyn Woods

Judd Faudree

Robert Cherry

A.C. Evans

Terry Clubb

Ira Henderson

Tim Vandiver

Gordon Pipkin

Jerald Warden

Jarrell Gray

Rickie Nichols Jr.

7/26/1982

9/10/1984

10/7/1987

3/10/1988

2/21/1990

10/23/1991

9/7/1993

6/15/1994

6/26/1998

12/1/1998

12/28/2005

6/8/2007

9/8/2010

6/14/2011

11/30/2011

6/25/2012

6/5/2015

6/11/2015

5/18/2016

5/10/2018

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

Virgil “Jack” Holland

Charles Looney

James Stanfill

Gerald Hendrick

Floyd Nelson

James Jones

Robert Williams Jr.

Henry Wheeler

Elvin Shipman

Jack Wofford

John Page

Turner Turnpike

Will Rogers Turnpike

Turner Turnpike

Turner Turnpike

Will Rogers Turnpike

Will Rogers Turnpike

Indian Nation Turnpike

Cimarron Turnpike

Cimarron Turnpike

Will Rogers Turnpike

Indian Nation Turnpike

7/13/1966

8/22/1967

6/3/1976

9/6/1981

8/22/1984

1/4/1985

7/11/1986

4/12/1993

6/23/1996

3/5/1999

6/22/1999

WORK ZONE SAFETY RESOURCES

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Motorcycle

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

In 2020 – 61 motorcyclists died on Oklahoma roadways.

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Here are the facts: 

  • Per miles traveled, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in a crash.

  • 30% of crash fatalities were caused by motorcyclists driving without a valid motorcycle license.

  • NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017.

  • In Oklahoma alone, 62% of motorcycle fatalities were caused by drivers not wearing a helmet.

 

It’s easy to do better. By working to do these simple steps before getting on your motorcycle, you can protect yourself, other drivers and your loved ones. Remember, It’s Not Just About You

 

  • Always make sure to obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings.

  • Check all aspects of your motorcycle before your ride.  

  • Wear your helmet, and make sure it’s the right size too.  

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Experienced riders know local traffic laws - and they don't take risks.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Share the Road

Motorcycle safety means looking twice. Remember to share the road.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY RESOURCES

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Secure Load

SECURE YOUR LOAD

INTRODUCTION

“Secure Your Load” is a national campaign designed to remind and encourage drivers to make sure whatever they’re hauling in their vehicle is secure.

 

Oklahoma Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority are joining Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and Department of Public Safety to recognize National Secure Your Load Day Monday, June 6. Gov. Stitt declared June 6-12 as Secure Your Load Week in the state of Oklahoma.

 

This campaign makes for safer roads and helps reduce litter in the state, of which ODOT and OTA maintenance forces spend more than $6 million to clean highways of debris and litter annually, in addition to the efforts of many volunteers.

 

Nationally in 2019, there were 739 deaths and nearly 90,000 crashes caused by road debris. In the past three years in Oklahoma, 17 motorists were killed in unsecured load-related crashes. Drivers can decrease their chances of being involved in a road debris crash by securing vehicle loads, maintaining their vehicle and driving defensively.

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Secure Your Load Comic Book

A message from DOT - The Safety Sentinel

Securing your load on your vehicle can save lives and the planet. Did you know:

A 20-pound object at 55 mph has a force of 1,000 pounds at impact.

(Source: Robin Abel, Secure Your Load Day founder)

More than 1 billion pieces of litter from unsecured loads were estimated among U.S. roadways in 2020.

(Source: Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study)

Drivers can decrease their chances of being involved in a road debris crash by:

Identifying the type of cargo being transported ahead of time to make sure you have the right devices or equipment to secure safely. Cargo must be secured against leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from your vehicle.

Securing Vehicle Loads: When moving or towing furniture, it is important to make sure all items are secured. Inspect devices and anchor points regularly to ensure they’re not damaged, defective or weakened. Cargo securement devices must not be defective or weakened.

​

To properly secure a load, drivers should:

Tie down load with rope, netting or straps

Tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer

Cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting

Don’t overload the vehicle

Always double check load to make sure it is secure

Maintaining Vehicles: Badly worn or underinflated tires often suffer blowouts that can leave pieces of tire on the roadway. Exhaust systems and the hardware that attach to the vehicle also can rust and corrode, causing mufflers and other parts to drag and eventually break loose. Potential tire and exhaust system problems easily can be spotted by trained mechanics.

Driving Defensively: Drivers should avoid tailgating and continually search the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead for debris. If you see you are about to make contact with debris, safely reduce your speed as much as possible prior to making contact.

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Car Seat Safety

CAR SEAT SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

Did you know car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13? Ensure your child is buckled up safely by carefully selecting the correct car seat type and following the recommendations below.

 

How to choose a car seat:

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How to choose a car seat:

Learn about the four car seat types:

  • Rear-facing car seat

  • Forward-facing car seat

  • Booster seat

  • Seat belt

Install your car seat correctly

Keep your child safe in a car seat

Car Seat Recommendations:

As children grow, how they sit in your car will change. Make sure you use a car seat that fits your child’s current size and age.

Not all car seats fit in all vehicles. Make sure the car seat is the right fit for your vehicle (PDF, 1.77 MB). Test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits well in your vehicle.

Buy a car seat that can be installed and used correctly every time.

Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

CAR SEAT SAFETY RESOURCES

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Media

MEDIA

PRESS KIT

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ODOT and OTA employees joined together on Friday, April 15, for the reading of the names of the two agencies’ 72 fallen workers and for a moment of silence to honor those who gave their lives in service to the state.

Contact

CONTACT

Want to learn more about Driving Safely in Oklahoma? Reach out to us and let us know how we can help.

Contact Us

Thanks for submitting!

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Oklahoma Department of Transportation
200 N.E. 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

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