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During the month of January, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 56 individuals for impaired drivers. Deputies would like to remind the public that impaired driving is a one hundred percent preventable offense, and to always plan a sober ride home.
The earlier media releases are below.
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Results: Deputies Arrest 55 Impaired Drivers in December, Enhanced Patrols Continue Through January
January 3, 2019 -- During the month of December, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 55 impaired drivers. Deputies will continue to conduct enhanced impaired driving patrols through the month of January and for the College Football Playoff. The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to always drive sober or plan a safe ride home ahead of time.
The original media release below.
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Deputies Conducting Enhanced Impaired Driving Patrols Over the Holidays
December 3, 2018 -- The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting high visibility enforcement patrols looking for impaired drivers between the dates of December 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019. The enhanced patrols are being done in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and Oregon State Sheriff's Association (OSSA).
According to NHTSA, 37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2016, and 28 percent (10,497) of those fatalities were in crashes during which a driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of .08.
On average, a driving under the influence arrest costs $10,000 in attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and repairs, and more.
There are many other ways to ensure a safe ride home besides relying on a friend. The options include using public transportation, calling a taxi, or using a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft. In addition, NHTSA’s SaferRide Mobile App, available in the app store, is another resource to help those who have been drinking find a sober ride home—by identifying their location and helping to call a taxi or a friend to pick them up.
This holiday season, deputies are asking the public to do their part in keeping our roadways safe by always planning a sober ride home before the festivities begin.