Palouse TPO plans driver safety summit

The Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization will host its first Palouse driver safety summit as part of its Palouse Driver Safety Campaign Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in Pullman. The event is free for WSU/UI and high school students. Registration includes breakfast and lunch, according to Genevieve Bode, project coordinator.

The Palouse RTPO, in partnership with many other local and state agencies, including WSU, began The Palouse Driver Safety Campaign in 2016. The goals are to improve distracted, drowsy driving and educate young, inexperienced drivers.

The goal of the safety summit is to bring together the community, state, regional and local partners with driver and pedestrian safety enhancing projects, information and activities under one roof to spread the safety awareness on the Palouse.

Presenters from various local, regional and state agencies will attend. They include law enforcement, first responders, local businesses, insurance providers and driver education teachers who all advocate for driver safety.

Experts from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and Washington State Department of Transportation will be present.

Elected officials and local government, non-profit organizations, and other interested parties are invited.