Preliminary statistics in Oregon for the 2014 Memorial Day holiday weekend period indicates fewer traffic deaths and more DUII arrests by Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers in comparison to last year’s holiday weekend totals. This year’s 78-hour reporting period began at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 23, and concluded Monday, May 26, at 11:59 p.m. According to ODOT’s Fatality Analysis Reporting Systems (FARS), there have been two reported fatalities (both pedestrian-involved) in two separate traffic crashes by Oregon law enforcement agencies. If the preliminary number holds true, this will be the fourth time since 1970 when Oregon reports 2 fatalities for this major holiday period which has not had fewer than two reported deaths. Since 1970, an average of six traffic fatalities is reported each Memorial Day holiday period, and last year seven people died in six separate fatal traffic crashes. Preliminary DUII arrest statistics for OSP troopers during the holiday period indicates 59 drivers were arrested. Last year, troopers reported 48 DUII arrests.
