During this unprecedented health crisis, we are reminding our community to STAY HOME and STAY HEALTHY. However, if you have to be on the road, we encourage you to drive safety and obey all traffic laws. You can do your part in this effort by ensuring that all road users get home safely.
Now that the roads are less congested, traffic officers have seen an increase in speeding; more than half of the citations issued last week were for speeding. In the recent week, PPB also saw an increase in the number of citations for speeding +31 mph over the limit.
During the month of April, when feasible, Portland Police Bureau officers will also be focusing their attention on impaired drivers and distracted driving. These special enforcement missions are part of a statewide effort with funding from partnerships with the Oregon Impact and Oregon Transportation Safety Division.
By working with surrounding partner agencies throughout Oregon, police want to raise awareness and hope their presence on the roads will remind drivers of the importance of never talking on the phone or texting while driving. Issuing citations is not the goal, but a way to remind people of the dangers surrounding distracted driving.
Officers will also be looking for impaired drivers. Remember that drug impaired driving is just as dangerous as alcohol impaired driving.
The Portland Police Bureau is committed to working with our partners from PBOT, the community, and other local law enforcement jurisdictions. Our overall desire is to create safer streets with the goal of working towards reducing, and eventually eliminating, all traffic fatalities as part of Vision Zero. To learn more about the City of Portland's Vision Zero effort, please visit: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/40390
###PPB###