Based upon preliminary information confirmed with ODOT’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there were no known confirmed traffic fatalities in Oregon during the 30-hour Christmas holiday reporting period that began 6:00 p.m., December 24, and ended 11:59 p.m., December 25, 2013. Tragically, a confirmed fatality did occur Tuesday, December 24 at approximately 2:45 p.m. in Multnomah County, but it happened before the start of the reporting period. If the preliminary information holds true, this was the second fatal-free Christmas holiday period since 1970. The only other known fatal-free holiday period occurred during a similar 30-hour reporting period in 1996. The deadliest Christmas holiday period occurred 30 years ago (1983) when ten people were killed in traffic crashes. OSP troopers reported 11 DUII arrests during the 30-hour period, two of which were tied to citizen reports to OSP dispatch centers. During last year’s 102-hour reporting period, three people died in 3 separate fatal traffic crashes and troopers reported 53 DUII arrests. OSP, sheriff’s departments and city police agencies in Oregon and around the nation are continuing stepped up DUII enforcement as part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign through January 1, 2014.
