The West Linn Police Is Encouraging Everyone To Drive Safely During The Holidays And Will Be Doing Extra Traffic Safety Patrols. -12/17/21

Nationally, according to NHTSA, 837 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver in December 2019.  

Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] at or above .08 grams per deciliter [g/dL]). In 2019, there were 10,142 people killed in drunk-driving crashes.

It is statistics like this that led the West Linn Police Department to participate in High Visibility Enforcement DUII patrols, using funds from a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation through Oregon Impact. The grant funding will allow the West Linn Police Department to deploy extra officers to exclusively target suspected DUII drivers. Grant money will also fund more WLPD patrols for distracted driving, seatbelt use and speeding.

With the holiday season approaching, here are some important safety tips for holiday planning:
** Use a Designated Driver-If you haven't identified who will drive if you are going to drink, Now Is The Time!
** Make it an over-nighter. Couches or hotel rooms make great landing pads and are far more cheaper and comfortable than a night in jail!
** Call a cab, use public transportation, use an internet-based service like BeMyDD.com and www.drinkinganddriving.org/designated-driver-services (they drive you home in your own car!) or a service like Uber or Lyft.
** Be a good host, making sure you have tasty non-alcoholic beverages for the designated driver/s at your gathering is a great gesture; your DD/s will appreciate it.

The West Linn Police Department will continue to be aggressively looking for, and arresting, intoxicated drivers around West Linn. So; Be smart. Be safe. Drive Sober.