Although the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge made for depressing headlines, it’s important to understand fire’s role in the forest’s life cycle. Fire is a crucial component that helps forests regrow greener and stronger than before. Our forests actually rely heavily on the occasional natural or manmade fire to renew themselves. It…
The first in a new series of short, informational films, Richard Rizk reveals the 5 reasons he believes insurance companies make low offers on claims. With experience working for and against insurance, Richard knows how to beat insurance companies at their own game.
Sleep apnea is an often-undiagnosed disorder causing one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. When this happens, your sleep is interrupted repeatedly during the night, causing you to be tired during the day. Doctors usually can’t detect the condition during routine office visits, and no blood test can help diagnose…
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 4,000 people were killed in collisions involving underride between 1994 and 2014. Of that number, about 1,530 were related to side underride crashes. Recent tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that protective side panels at the bottom of trucks would prevent deaths from passenger…
While Oregonians welcomed rain in late September 2017, after the Columbia River Gorge Eagle Creek fire scorched large sections of forest, consuming 48,831 acres, destroying homes and forcing evacuations, landslides posed a new threat to the area. The Eagle Creek fire carried smoke and ash across the Portland area to the western boundaries of Washington…
Platooning trucks digitally-connected, driving in formation boosts fuel economy, limits traffic congestion and improves highway safety, yet lack of uniformity of state traffic laws is holding back its widespread use. What is Truck Platooning? Platooning is a driving strategy that features trucks traveling in a line, connected using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology. The truck in front…
Oregon is a beautiful place to live, work, and play. We have scenic mountains and lakes, modern cities, and a strong economy. Oregon citizens are thriving, but there’s a downside. As more people discover what’s good about living in our state, our roads become increasingly congested, leading to more traffic accidents and injuries. Transportation data…
The recent ban on texting while driving hasn’t eliminated all driver distractions. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) requiring touch screen and voice interaction are just as distracting, increasing the risk of crashes. The features of vehicle infotainment systems have expanded, opening up more tasks…
Beginning October first, Oregonians can expect police to pay closer attention to their habits behind the wheel. On that day, the state’s new, fortified distracted driving law will have taken effect. The new law makes it easier for distracted drivers to get pulled over by police, who can now issue citations to anyone holding any…
Since an adolescent in the running for the 2017 Darwin Award ignited the Eagle Creek fire, tenacious firefighters have worked tirelessly to contain the flames that continue to destroy vast swaths of the Columbia River Gorge’s natural beauty. One landmark, in particular, was at risk of destruction and may not have survived the flames had…