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Increased Traffic Patrols in St. Helens Over New Year's Holiday Leads to Impaired Driving and Warrant Arrests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 1, 2021
ST. HELENS, OR – The New Year’s holiday is one of the more dangerous times to be on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there is typically an increase in drunk-driving related deaths during this holiday. In order to keep the St. Helens community safe, the St. Helens Police Department assigned an increased number of officers to conduct traffic patrol over the New Year’s holiday.
The extra patrol was conducted from Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 1 p.m. until Friday, January 1, 2021 at 6 a.m. The increase in officers dedicated to patrolling St. Helens roads led to 29 traffic stops. Two DUII arrests and two warrant arrests were made as a result. One DUII driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .29%. The legal limit in Oregon is .08%.
Additionally, two St. Helens officers who were driving to and from work observed dangerous driving by individuals suspected to be impaired. This ultimately led to two additional DUII arrests. The drivers had BACs of .25% and .14%.
Impaired driving can lead to serious consequences. The St. Helens Police Department is dedicated to ensuring safe roads for our citizens. According to a recent NHTSA study, “more than 63% of drivers in fatal or near-fatal crashes tested positive for alcohol or at least one active drug – an alarming number and an increase from the 50% range we’d seen before COVID. About 1 in 5 people in fatal or near-fatal crashes were highly intoxicated, with blood alcohol contents of .15 or more.”
You can help keep St. Helens roads safe by remembering the following:
- Plan for a safe and sober ride home before you begin drinking.
- Wear a seat belt. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
- Never let someone drive if you know that person has been drinking.
- Call 911 if you see someone you suspect to be driving drunk or high.
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For further information regarding St. Helens Police Department’s increased traffic patrols over the New Year’s holiday, please contact the St. Helens Police Department at 503-397-1521.
