Portland Police Ramp Up DUII Patrols Through Labor Day

PORTLAND, OR — The Portland Police Bureau this week announced it would increase impaired driving patrols and enforcement in the city through the Labor Day holiday. August and September, officials said, would see additional police units on the road as part of the city's Vision Zero initiative.

In July, Portland officers reportedly arrested 100 impaired drivers. The increased patrols are available to the bureau thanks to funding assistance from Oregon Impact, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing vehicular fatalities.

"During the Labor Day weekend we will be teaming up with several other partner agencies and conducting large saturation patrols to help provide a safety impact to our communities," Portland police spokesman Sgt. Christopher Burley said in a statement. "The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind the public that drug-impaired driving is just as dangerous, and illegal, as alcohol-impaired driving."

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Burley offered the following to help revelers avoid a drunk driving arrest:

• Use a designated driver.
• Call a taxi or ride-sharing company.
• If you drink or smoke marijuana, do it responsibly.
• Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving.

For more information on Portland's Vision Zero mission, visit: PortlandOregon.gov.

Image via Shutterstock, City of Portland