Staying safe on Pend Oreille roads

GUEST OPINION

From emergency rooms to accident scenes, I have seen firsthand how quickly an ordinary drive can turn into a life-changing event. Here in the Pend Oreille River Valley, our mountains, winding back roads, changing weather and sometimes unpredictable road conditions can create unique challenges for drivers. In 2025, vehicle accidents were the second-highest cause of trauma-related injuries treated at Newport Community Hospital, where I’ve served as an emergency physician since 2019. I’m also the medical program director for EMS in Pend Oreille County.

And I can tell you this: Road safety is a responsibility we all share. The encouraging part is that many of the crashes I see are preventable.

In my experience, three factors come up again and again: driving too fast for conditions, impaired driving, and — most dangerously — a combination of the two.

Know the roads — and respect the conditions

One of the challenges we face in this area is that our roads aren’t always as forgiving as they may appear.

I see people, particularly visitors who aren’t familiar with the area, traveling too fast because they don’t know what is coming around the next corner. In the warmer months, that might mean carrying too much speed on a winding back road. In the winter, it can mean encountering ice or snow on Tiger Pass or Flowery Trail, or unexpectedly slick conditions along the Pend Oreille River and around Priest Lake.

Even a road that looks flat, straight and completely clear can have hazards you can’t see until it’s too late.

My advice is simple: If you have any doubt about the road surface or the conditions ahead, slow down. You don’t have to be driving recklessly to lose control. Sometimes, you’re simply driving faster than the road or weather allows.

Never drive impaired

The other major factor I see is impaired driving. There really isn’t a safe way to operate a vehicle when you’re impaired.

If you’re going to drink, give someone else your keys before you start. Have a plan for how you’re getting home. Designate a driver, call someone, or find another way to get where you’re going.

And remember that “vehicle” means more than just a car or pickup. In our area, people enjoy ATVs, boats and other recreational vehicles. Even something that seems relatively harmless, such as a golf cart, can cause serious injury when operated by someone who is impaired.

Don’t assume that because you’re close to home—or because you’re operating a vehicle at a low speed—that you’re safe.

Three more tips for staying safe

Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts remain one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect yourself in a crash. The majority of the people we see in the ER after a motor vehicle collision were wearing their seatbelts. Occasionally, we see someone who wasn’t. Unfortunately, those who aren’t restrained sometimes don’t make it off the scene.

Use technology wisely. Distracted driving is another danger we can control. If you need to make a phone call, use your vehicle’s hands-free technology. Better yet, set up what you need before you start driving and keep your attention on the road. Never look down at your phone while you’re moving. Technology isn’t always the problem, though. Some of the advances in vehicle safety have made a real difference in the severity of the injuries we see, such as side airbags.

Don’t let your vehicle give you a false sense of security. Finally, I would encourage everyone to be careful about putting too much confidence in what their vehicle can do. Four-wheel drive can help you maintain traction, but it doesn’t make you stop any faster. A large truck may give you a feeling of security, but being in a bigger vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to avoid injury. Your vehicle’s capabilities don’t change the laws of physics.

The safest driver is still the one who recognizes the conditions, leaves enough room to stop, wears a seatbelt and doesn’t drive impaired.

We all share these roads. We share them with our neighbors, our families, our children and the visitors who come here to enjoy the place we call home. A few extra minutes on the road are worth it. Nothing about getting there faster is worth risking a life.

DR. NATHAN LILYA IS AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN AT NEWPORT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AND THE MEDICAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR EMS IN PEND OREILLE COUNTY. HE ALSO VOLUNTEERS AS A WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER. HE AND HIS FAMILY LIVE NEAR CUSICK.