The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is boosting its efforts to combat impaired driving during the festive period, focusing on a DUII enforcement operation that began on Wednesday and will continue through New Year's, as reported by MCSO's news release. The campaign comes at a time when statistics show, the number of impaired driving incidents tends to spike. Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell emphasized the importance of the operation, "Impaired driving is one of the most preventable threats on our roads," she said, "Our deputies will be using these targeted enforcement operations to keep dangerous drivers off our streets and to ensure everyone in Multnomah County can travel safely."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided sobering data: every day, about 34 people in the U.S. succumb to drunk-driving crashes, which translates to one death every 42 minutes. With deputies on increased patrols, the MCSO's primary goal is to prevent incidents that could lead to such tragic outcomes. Additional enforcement efforts are expected during peak holiday travel times and particularly in the late-night hours.
Furthermore, in their announcement, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office included several safety tips for residents during the holiday season. They are urging the public to plan and designate a sober driver before engaging in any festivities involving intoxicating substances. They caution that under Oregon law, drivers can still face legal action even if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is under .08%. "MCSO encourages community members to simply avoid operating a motor vehicle any time after consuming intoxicants – even if you feel ‘fine,’" the news release advises. The sheriff's office also suggests avoiding mixing alcohol with medications that may impair one's ability to drive, and for hosts to act responsibly by providing non-alcoholic drink options and arranging transportation for guests who need it.
With these enhanced patrols, MCSO intends to curtail the avoidable, and frequently tragic, consequences of impaired driving. The alert not only serves to warn those who might consider driving after imbibing but also to remind the community at large to be vigilant and to report any suspected cases of impaired driving by calling 9-1-1. As stated in the MCSO's announcement, the ultimate objective is clear: keep the roads safe and prevent injuries and fatalities during a time when celebrations can take a somber turn when mixed with irresponsible driving behaviors.
