PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — With the holidays in full swing, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) wants travelers to know how to stay safe. According to National Safety Council estimates, over 300 people could be killed on the road this holiday season.
These tips might sound familiar, but PBOT spokesperson Hannah Schafer says they’re exceptionally important now.
“Some of the top factors are relevant year-round and should especially be important during this time of year when we are celebrating, letting loose a little,” said Hannah Schafer, a spokesperson for PBOT.
In Portland, deadly crashes have somewhat of a common thread.
” Between 2017 and 2021, 69% of our deadly crashes in Portland had impairment as a factor. So we’re talking about over 50% of crashes that are deadly,” said Schafer.
The solution is as simple as making sure you plan how you’re getting home if you plan to go out.
PBOT is trying to make it even easier.
“We are offering vouchers and coupon discounts for taxis, Uber, and Lyft for New Year’s Eve, as well as streetcar and Trimet are all going to be offering free transit after 7 p.m.,” said Schafer.
Not to rain on your parade but it’ll likely be raining on Christmas. PBOT says you do not want to drive through major standing water. You could hydroplane.
PBOT recommends driving at or below the speed limit.
“A pedestrian struck by a person driving 40 miles per hour is 8 times more likely to die than a pedestrian. Struck by 20 miles per hour. And so we really encourage people to travel the speed limit or below and especially in heavy rain,” said Schafer.
Watch out for potholes that are hidden in standing water too. Especially if you’re biking.
If your storm drain is clogged and you can’t get it unclogged on your own, PBOT will be taking calls at 503-823-1700.
In this commentary: Should I cancel my summer vacation?
in this commentary
Summer vacation plans are in jeopardy as travelers grapple with sticker shock, overwhelming crowds, and safety worries.
Are your reasons for canceling valid, or just excuses? This commentary separates the legitimate concerns from the lame ones.
Before you pull the plug on your trip, you need to know about the potential fallout—from disappointed family to steep financial penalties.
Is the thought of going on summer vacation too much for you? Too much money, too much hassle, too much everything?
Well, you’ve got company.
Americans are having second thoughts about their summer vacations, according to Stephen Day, director of Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Economic Education.
“People think their vacation dollars won’t take them very far,” he says.
A new survey finds that more than half of Americans are cutting back their summer travel plans, spurred by economic worries and price increases.
Should they? The answer is yes — and no. There’s no requirement to take a summer vacation. But there are also good — and not so good — reasons to cancel this year’s summer vacation.
You don’t have to take a vacation this summer
You may feel some pressure to go somewhere this summer, but experts say that’s nonsense.
“There’s nothing wrong with staying home,” says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips. “I respect a client who says, ‘We just can’t afford a trip this year.’ I appreciate that kind of honesty. Financial stress can spoil a vacation.”
The best reason to postpone or cancel a summer vacation is your personal circumstances — health issues, job loss, or personal crises. Friends and family can put a lot of pressure on you to go somewhere. Maybe there’s that moment next to the water cooler after Labor Day where you’re comparing your vacation stories with your colleagues, and maybe it fills you with dread.
So I’ll let you off the hook. If someone gives you an eye-roll when you admit you stayed home this summer, show them this column. Read Sherren’s quote. Hold your head high, my friend.
Summer vacation is not mandatory.
Here’s why you should cancel your summer vacation
There are legitimate reasons to call off your summer vacation.
It’s too expensive
Face it, traveling this summer is far from affordable. Airfares and hotel rates are trending higher in many popular places. “It’s massively expensive,” says Sarah Davies, who works for a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. She’s thinking of canceling her summer trip to Italy. “Is it a wise use of our finances?” she wonders. (Typically, if you have to ask that question, you already know the answer, which is to cancel.)
It’s too crowded
Crowds will probably be a serious problem this summer. Maria Szandrach has already canceled her summer vacation in Portugal. “I had everything planned — days wandering through Lisbon’s historic streets, exploring the stunning cliffs in the Algarve, and indulging in way too many pastéis de nata,” says Szandrach, who runs a technology company in San Francisco. “But after reading about how crowded things were going to be, I decided to cancel.” She says she didn’t want to spend her entire vacation “packed like a sardine at every major site.” And that’s a legitimate concern.
It’s too dangerous
Sebastian Garrido, a marketing manager for a tour operator based in Mexico City, says he’s canceled his summer vacation to visit his family in northern Mexico because he’s worried about security. “Northern Mexico is not the safest place,” he says. That may be an understatement. The U.S. State Department has warned of gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault along parts of the border with the U.S.. Better choose a safer summer vacation destination.
Bad reasons to cancel your summer vacation
But there are also reasons people are calling off their summer vacation that don’t really hold up. Those include:
“I can’t leave my pet alone”
Oh, for heaven’s sake! Get a friend to stop by your place to feed or walk your dog, or to house sit while you’re away, and enjoy a little time off. If you can’t bear to part with your furry friend, then find a pet-friendly summer vacation.
“I’m too busy for a vacation”
What nonsense! If you don’t take a little time off, you’re going to burn out. Everyone needs a little downtime away from the phone and laptop and spent with friends or family. You have to make the time.
“I’m not a good traveler”
Guess what? No one is a good traveler. Travel is uncomfortable, expensive and inconvenient — but once you get to your destination, it’s usually worth it. So don’t give me any excuses about being a bad traveler, please.
Your voice matters
🖐️ Your voice matters
Are you having second thoughts about your summer vacation this year? What are your biggest concerns—cost, crowds, or something else?
And what do you think is the best reason to cancel a trip?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Warning: If you cancel your vacation, you will have to deal with this
If you decide to cancel your summer vacation plans, be prepared for a few things. First, there will be fallout from the rest of your family or travel companions, who were really looking forward to seeing Rome or Lisbon this summer. You may have to promise them a do-over during the fall, when travel will be less expensive and crowded, so that’s a real win-win.
But second, and equally important, is that you could face some steep cancellation penalties. If you’ve already prepaid for airfare and hotels, you may lose some money. (That’s one reason I sometimes recommend travel insurance, especially “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. Because stuff happens.)
I’m having second thoughts about my summer travels, too. I’m currently in Germany and headed to Greece next week. I’m trying to avoid the popular places, and I’m staying flexible just in case things take a turn for the worse.
You never know.
The smart traveler’s guide to canceling a vacation
1
Review your policies first
Before you do anything, read the cancellation policies for your flights, hotels, and tours. Pay close attention to deadlines and non-refundable clauses.
2
Contact vendors immediately
The sooner you notify companies of your cancellation, the better your chances of a refund. Use email to create a written record of your request.
3
Understand your refund options
Companies may offer a cash refund, a future travel credit, or a voucher. Know the difference and the expiration dates for any credits offered.
4
File a travel insurance claim
If you have travel insurance and are canceling for a covered reason (like a medical issue), start the claims process right away. Be prepared to provide documentation.
There’s a moment just before every journey begins that feels suspended in time. You close the suitcase. You glance at your boarding pass. The world feels wide open—inviting, electric, full of possibility.
For many travelers, the promise of summer is just that: the sea’s shimmer, the deep blue stretch of sky, stars twinkling above a quiet beach, or the crisp air at the summit of a long-awaited mountain climb. This is the season for new landscapes, new languages, and unforgettable stories.
And yet, seasoned travelers know that while spontaneity adds magic to any adventure, preparation adds freedom. That’s where travel health insurance—and more specifically, Dunav Insurance Company’s policy—comes in.
“Travel health insurance provides protection against unforeseen medical expenses due to injury or health problems that may occur during a trip or stay abroad,” explains Ljubomir Zec, Director of Internal and External Sales at Dunav Insurance Company. “Our travel health insurance policy covers the costs of sudden and urgent medical interventions, outpatient and inpatient treatment, necessary medication, and transportation to the nearest medical facility.”
It’s a practical consideration, certainly. But it’s also a mindset. A traveler who is covered travels differently—more boldly, more fully. There’s a confidence in knowing you’re not navigating the unexpected alone.
Travel insurance. Photo credit: Shutterstock
What sets Dunav’s travel policy apart is its combination of ease, speed, and digital accessibility. In a few taps, on a smartphone or computer, the entire process is complete—no lines, no delays.
“Purchasing a travel health insurance policy online is quick and easy,” says Zec. “No matter where you are—at home on your computer, out on the street, or even in your car—you can complete this important policy in just a few minutes. Simply enter the details from your travel documents, along with your destination and trip duration, and you’ll not only be covered but also enjoy a 10% discount on your premium.”
For those who have experienced a sudden illness or injury while abroad, the importance of 24/7 access to reliable support cannot be overstated. Dunav’s dedicated Contact Center—reachable at +381 11 36 36 940—offers real-time assistance, day or night.
“Our friendly operators will provide all the necessary information and guidance to help ease your situation,” Zec says. He notes that coverage can reach up to €35,000 for a modest premium. “If you’re unable to get in touch with our center at a critical moment, be sure to keep all medical records and receipts. This way, upon your return, you can claim reimbursement for expenses covered under your travel health insurance policy.”
That blend of accessibility, financial protection, and customer care is the reason more and more travelers are making room in their itinerary for one essential extra: a Dunav travel health insurance policy.
Because while it can’t predict the unexpected, it ensures that when it happens—you’re ready.
To learn more or secure your policy before you travel, visit Dunav Insurance online or contact their dedicated team at +381 800 386 286 (toll-free in Serbia).
The Government has been pushing for reforms around transparency in the insurance industry, but just how necessary are they?
Fitness Instructor Donna Dunne got in touch with Lunchtime Live about a harrowing holiday experience, and how travel insurance may not make up for it.
Ms Dunne’s family camper van was broken into and robbed while on a holiday with her father and two teenage daughters in the south of France.
The culprits took the family’s passports, wallets and bank cards, leaving them to make their way across the country to the Irish embassy with only about €13 between them.
“The robbery was one thing; getting home was one thing; but since I’m home, it’s a different ball game,” she said.
“And actually, one hundred million times worse than being broken into.
“The insurance company were expecting me to submit documentation and evidence of what was the expiry date left on my passport [in order to cover the renewal fee].
“Without sounding funny, I’d have to go to your man in France who robbed me and say, ‘Sorry, would you mind if I just saw the document? I don’t know the expiry date’.”
Bored person on hold on their phone. Image: Antonio Guillem Fernández / Alamy Stock Photo
According to Ms Dunne, these requirements were not visible to her on her policy documents.
Consumer Journalist Siobhan Maguire said “the lack of consistency across travel insurance policies makes it so difficult for consumers to keep pace with what they’re supposed to do”.
“I’ve actually watched Donna’s videos on Instagram and when she talked about the passport issue, I thought, well I’m on the same travel policy, I’ll go check mine,” she said.
“I went though everything with a fine tooth comb and could find absolutely nothing relating to a travel cover in relation to your passport and how much is left in terms of its usage and how much you’ll be compensated as a result.”
Ms Maguire said “that, to me, was baffling”.
Ms Dunne also cited a range of other issues she had run into with her insurance, including being asked to provide photo evidence of each bag that had been stolen.
Main image: Stressed woman at desk. Image: Kateryna Onyshchuk / Alamy Stock Photo
