The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office will increase patrols over the July 4th weekend in an effort to minimize and reduce the negative impact of impaired drivers on law abiding motorists. The extra patrols are paid for through a High Visibility Enforcement Grant provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association.

Sheriff Svenson wants all the citizens of Yamhill County to enjoy the long weekend, to be safe and to not drink and drive. The increased traffic on the highways over the weekend will require all driver to be patience and to plan ahead for possible delays.

If you plan to host a party or attend a party where alcohol or marijuana is being served you can take some precautions beforehand to avoid what could be a deadly end to the night.

• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Promote the use of designated drivers and stop impaired family or friends from driving;
• Ask a friend who has not been consuming for a ride home;
• Use public transportation or a taxi;
• If you host a party and provide alcohol or marijuana, make sure to also include food and non-alcoholic beverages.  Monitor your guest’s consumption and take the keys from a guest who has had too much.

If you see a suspected impaired driver please call 9-1-1 and report them.  Some signs to look for are:

• Swerving or weaving in and out of a lane;
• Stopping abruptly at traffic signs or signals;
• Making unusually wide turns;
• Driving over curbs;
• Driving with headlights off at night.