UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore.-Law enforcement agencies across Oregon, including the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) will be on the lookout for impaired drivers, conducting enforcement patrols through Labor Day weekend.
Participating in Oregon’s DUII/High-Visibility Enforcement Program (HVE), will allow more deputies to be on patrol for intoxicated and impaired drivers through the busy holiday weekend, according to the UCSO.
“In 2021, there were 13,284 people killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in the U.S.,” said UCSO Lieutenant Josh Roberts. “This number does not take into account those who were killed by drivers impaired by drugs.”
The HVE patrols are funded through a Transportation Safety Office (TSO) grant and distributed through Impact Oregon, a nonprofit that works to increase safe driving by preventing driving under the influence.
Labor Day is often one of the deadliest travel periods of the year, with the number of traffic fatalities about 10% higher than on non-holiday weekends, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Over Labor Day Weekend 2024, 505 people died in traffic crashes, 33% of which involved a drunk driver, according to NHTSA data, highlighting the need to plan ahead if you choose to celebrate.
If celebrating this Labor Day, designate a sober driver first, don’t let your friends drive impaired, always wear your seat belt, and call 911 if you encounter dangerous or possibly impaired driving.
“Always remember to plan ahead,” said Lt. Roberts. “If you have to ask yourself if you’re okay to drive, the answer is always no.”
