PORTLAND, Ore. — Law enforcement agencies across Oregon and Washington are gearing up to try and prevent drunk drivers on the road through St. Patrick's Day.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is increasing DUII patrols on March 17, coinciding with the amount of holiday events and parades in multiple cities this week, announced Sgt. Ty Engstrom during a news conference Friday. The DUII patrols have already started and will continue into the weekend, PPB said.
"A lot of people partake in drinking and drugs during these events. We want to do what we can to make the roads more safe," Engstrom said.
Engstrom added that they have an initiative, Metro Area Traffic Enforcement Collaboration, or MATEC, which targets five behaviors that lead to serious injuries and fatal crashes.
"The goal of MATEC is to work on the SOLID, which stands for speed, occupant safety, lanes, impaired and distracted driving," Engstrom explained.
PPB has partnered with multiple agencies, including the Washington County, Clackamas County, Multnomah County sheriff's offices; the Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego police departments; TriMet Transit Police; and Oregon State Police.
Southwest Washington law enforcement agencies are also increasing patrols into the weekend, including the Battle Ground Police Department, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, Vancouver Police Department and Washington State Patrol.
"We encourage people to find other ways of getting home if you’re going to come downtown in the metro area," Engstrom advised. "Please plan accordingly; don't drive under the influence. Find another way home," such as a rideshare, public transportation or a designated driver.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) said that St. Patrick's Day weekend is "one of the deadliest weekends on roads." The agency is providing multiple coupons for Uber, Lyft and taxi rides through the holiday.
"PBOT is committed to traffic safety and curbing impaired driving as part of our Vision Zero effort to end traffic deaths and serious injuries," PBOT Director Millicent Williams said in a release. "We hope these discounts will encourage partygoers to travel safely by leaving their cars at home. This should serve as a reminder to everyone to travel safely, so we can all do our part to end traffic fatalities in Portland."
Engstrom also highlighted the increased number of dangerous driving behaviors that are leading to fatal crashes, already on the rise this year.
"We are up to 15 fatal traffic crashes with a couple individuals still barely holding onto life," said Engstrom. "Our officers on a daily basis are getting people up to 100 miles an hour, 137 hours per hours on our Portland metro roadways."