Preliminary Post-Christmas Holiday Statistics Show Fewer Fatalities Than Last Year

State Police and other agencies are Preparing for New Year's Holiday Period

File photo of OSP trooper on patrol Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - Traffic fatalities were down during this year's Christmas holiday period on Oregon highways. Oregon State Police, county sheriff departments, city police agencies and ODOT are preparing for the upcoming extended New Year's holiday weekend.

Preliminary information indicates between 6:00 PM, Friday, December 21st, and 11:59 PM, Tuesday, December 25th, two people were killed in two separate fatal traffic crashes over the 102-hour holiday period.

During last year's 78-hour Christmas holiday period, four people died in two separate fatal crashes. On Friday, December 22nd 2006 at about 11:45 PM, three people died in a Redmond-area traffic crash.

Then on Monday, December 25th 2006, shortly after midnight, one person died in a Salem-area single vehicle traffic crash.

ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System statistics show an average of 4 fatalities have occurred over this holiday period during the last ten years.

OSP Patrol Services Division preliminary statistics show OSP troopers arrested 47 drivers for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) during the holiday period. Last year troopers arrested 59 people for DUII, and two years ago troopers arrested 44 intoxicated drivers.

Police agencies around Oregon are finalizing plans to help deal with the potential for more intoxicated drivers during the coming days leading to the New Year's holiday. For those who may mix holiday celebrations with alcohol, police and highway safety advocates recommend the following tips to help make your journey safer:

* Don't drink and drive, and don't ride with anyone who has had too much to drink.

* Volunteer to be a designated driver.

* If you see someone you know who has had too much to drink to drive, take his or her keys.

* If hosting a gathering, provide non-alcoholic beverages.

* Use public transit or local drive-home services provided by taxis and other companies.

* Always use safety restraints.

* Report any suspected impaired driving by calling 1-800-24DRUNK (800-243-7865) or 9-1-1.

As mentioned in the pre-Christmas holiday period traffic safety reminder news release, we are in the midst of an anticipated jump in the number of people traveling along our highways through the New Year's holiday.

Drivers will face challenges not only with more intoxicated drivers and other associated traffic issues; they will also have to handle winter-related road conditions.

A new publication, the "Oregon Winter Driving Guide", was recently announced by the Governor's Transportation/Tourism Task Force to help motorists safely navigate the roads this winter.

The "Oregon Winter Driving Guide" contains information on Oregon's laws that govern use of tire chains, tips for driving in icy or snowy conditions, and a checklist of equipment for roadside emergencies. The free guide is available at visitor information centers and convention bureaus, welcome centers and information kiosks, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Department of Transportation offices, and from members of the Oregon Lodging Association. The guide is also available online at tripcheck.com, traveloregon.com, oregontic.com, and oregonlodging.com. A link is also available on the Oregon State Police web site.

OSP and ODOT recommend the following travel safety tips to help get you safely to your destination:

* Expect the unexpected. Be informed and prepared when traveling on any of our highways.

* When traveling anywhere, plan ahead and take known routes if possible. Our weather has been changing quickly and sometimes without warning. For road conditions in Oregon, call 5-1-1 or (800) 977-ODOT (6368). Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. Visiting TripCheck.com on the Internet provides information on road and weather conditions, incidents and traffic delays, and links to numerous cameras on many mountain passes and major routes.

* Take the time to keep up on current and future weather conditions in the area you are traveling, especially if going to or through higher elevations and mountain passes, areas where your vehicle needs to have appropriate traction tires or devices.

* If considering a remote route that you have never traveled on, don't hesitate to contact available road and weather condition phone numbers or Internet resources, or contact police or highway department officials.

* Prepare an emergency kit to place in your car for longer trips and keep track of how much fuel is in your tank, especially if traveling unfamiliar routes or into remote locations.

* Let friends and family know what routes you plan to take when on a trip, keeping them updated and letting them know if these plans change.

* Drive to the conditions. If it's icy or wet, increase your following distance and reduce your speed. Use your headlights to improve not only your visibility, but also so others can see your vehicle.

* In bad weather, don't use cruise control.

For the safety of emergency responders working, remember Oregon is one of several states to have a "Move Over Law". It states that if you are driving up behind any type of police car or emergency vehicle pulled over on the roadside with emergency lights flashing, you must:

* Move over into another lane.

* If you can't safely change lanes, slow down.

* In all cases, the driver must try to provide as much as possible for the emergency vehicle.

For more information about the national effort to battle impaired driving, visit StopImpairedDriving.org.