Sheriff To Increase DUII Patrols In Washington County This Month

WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR — The Washington County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday announced it would conduct high visibility enforcement patrols specifically targeting impaired drivers throughout August.

The increased patrols are made possible with help from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Oregon State Sheriff's Association.

In June, Washington County Sheriff's deputies conducting enhanced patrols reportedly arrested 78 impaired drivers, 13 of which were arrested specifically for drug impairment. Between July 1 and July 8, deputies reportedly arrested 22 people for impaired driving, with seven of those occurring between the afternoon of July 3 and the morning of July 5.

In 2016 more than 37,000 people across the nation were killed in car crashes. Washington County spokesman Jeff Talbot identified drunk drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration over the .08 legal limit as responsible for nearly 10,500 of those deaths (28 percent).

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Hillsboro Patch)

Drivers are reminded to use public transit or ride share services, like Uber or Lyft, before trying to drive while under the influence of any intoxicant. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) SaferRide Mobile App is available to help locate and provide transportation to intoxicated individuals.

"Please do your part in keeping our roadways safe and help keep impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel," Talbot said. "If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, designate your sober driver. And remember: Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk."

Image via Shutterstock