September 10, 2026, Tip Of The Week- School Bus Safety (Photo) - 09/10/26

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

School is back in session, and you may be seeing more traffic, students walking or biking, and busses on the road. Drivers have a responsibility to stop for school buses displaying red flashing lights. Because buses are large vehicles, it is very difficult to see around them. The outcome of illegally passing a school bus can be devastating for children and drivers.

Law enforcement agencies receive reports each year from bus drivers and community members about motorists failing to stop for school buses. With nearly 6,000 school buses operating in the State of Oregon, motorists need to be alert.

When a bus is flashing amber lights, motorists should prepare to stop. When the red lights begin to flash, motorists traveling in both directions must stop before reaching the bus and must remain stopped until the red lights are turned off. The same rules apply to church or work buses equipped with amber and red flashing lights. Be aware when following any type of bus, it may make frequent stops.

Oregon law requires motorists to stop whenever the red lights on a school bus are flashing, regardless of the direction they are traveling. The law applies to any roadway with two or more lanes of traffic, including multi-lane highways such as Highway 101. The only exception to the law is for divided highways with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, such as in the Lincoln and Gleneden Beach areas. In this case, only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus must stop. A painted median strip or a center lane used only for left turns does not create two separate lanes. Where this situation exists, all lanes of traffic must stop.

By staying alert and following traffic laws, you reduce the risk of traffic crashes and pedestrian injuries in our community. Please do your part to make our roads safe.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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September 3, 2026, Tip Of The Week - National Preparedness Month (Photo) - 09/03/26

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
 

September is National Preparedness Month and a great reminder to prepare for the unexpected. Disasters and emergencies can strike anytime; sometimes leaving our communities without adequate aid for hours, days, or even weeks. Take time this month to review your emergency plans and supplies.

Due to potential local wildfires, storms, floods, or landslides it is recommended that all Oregonians be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks. For coastal residents, like Lincoln County, it is recommended to be “4 Weeks Cascadia Ready” in preparation for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. This means your household has enough food, water, medical supplies, sanitation supplies, and other life-sustaining resources to meet your needs for at least four weeks. In a major disaster such as a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, supply chain, responders, and transportation would be disrupted. Our communities need to be prepared to take care of each other until assistance is available.
 

Be Informed

• Know about possible hazards that can occur where you live.
• Be familiar with local evacuation routes.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts through Lincoln Alerts.

Make an Emergency Plan

• Talk with family and friends about what to do, including if you’re not together during an emergency.
• Practice your plan at different times and on different days. What will you do if you are at home, work, school, or at another location?
• Plan to check on your neighbors or vulnerable community members and offer assistance if possible.

Build an Emergency Kit

• Create an emergency kit or update your existing one.
• Some supplies include:
  • at least 4 weeks supply of food and water for each person and any pets. Remember to include water for drinking, sanitation, and preparing meals if needed.
  • battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • flashlight
  • first aid kit
  • extra batteries
  • whistle (to signal for help)
  • dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) and face coverings
  • plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
  • moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  • wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • manual can opener (for food)
  • local maps
  • cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

 More preparedness information and resources:

• Lincoln County Emergency Management – Plan and Prepare Resources
• Be Ready – Make a Plan
• Be Ready – Build a Kit
• CDC – Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Red Cross – How to Prepare for Emergencies
• Oregon Emergency Management – 2 Weeks Ready

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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August 27, 2026, Tip Of The Week - Back To School (Photo) - 08/27/26

BACK TO SCHOOL

Many families find themselves getting ready for back to school. With many public and private schools throughout Lincoln County, motorists need to remember to slow down near neighborhoods and schools.

How do I know when the school zone speed limit is active?

A school speed zone is in effect each morning and afternoon when school is in session, when children are walking to and from school, and when there’s a chance they may be present. The speed limit is 20 mph in a posted school zone between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on schooldays. If the school zone is equipped with a flashing yellow light(s), the speed limit is in effect when flashing.

These speed limits help keep children safe. Many of our schools include students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. With varying ages, heights, and abilities, a parked car can obscure students’ view of traffic and your view of them. Students may be distracted while stepping onto the roadway or forget to look before crossing the street. Driving at 20 mph will give you more time to react and avoid a collision. The following chart reveals the distance required to stop at specific speeds.

Traffic crashes are one of the deadliest hazards our children face. Let's do our part when we pass schools by slowing down, watching, and expecting the unexpected. Everyone needs to do their part to ensure the safety of our children.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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August 20, 2026, Tip Of The Week - ODOT Work Zones (Photo) - 08/20/26

ODOT WORK ZONES
 

As you gear up for that final summer road trip or just make your way home from work, you may run into roadwork and traffic delays. That may mean reduced speed limits and traffic delays in work zones. Did you know 4 out of 5 work zone crash victims are NOT the workers? It is actually the drivers and their passengers traveling through the work zone areas. Inattention and speed are the most common causes of work zone crashes.

Work zones are dangerous for everyone even when workers are not visible. That is why Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) lowers the speed limits in work zones. Exceeding work zone speed limits can be especially hazardous for numerous reasons:

• Traffic patterns may change day to day
• Roads may be rough, uneven or covered with debris
• Temporary lanes may be narrow with abrupt edges
• Roadside equipment may obstruct views

Commuters are often caught off guard by work zone hazards. Distracted driving and driving over the speed limit reduces the necessary reaction time to avoid a crash. When you see orange signs, cones, and barrels on the roadway, PAY EXTRA ATTENTION! Those are your clues to be prepared for unexpected obstacles and stopped or slowing cars. Slow down, stay alert, and avoid distractions.

For more information about work zone safety, go to ODOT's website at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Safety/Pages/Work-Zone.aspx  

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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