Preliminary Post Weekend & St. Patrick’s Day OSP Traffic Report, March 19

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers working between 12:01 a.m., Saturday, March 15, through 4:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, reported 36 DUII arrests statewide, including 14 arrests on St. Patrick’s Day. Preliminary information also indicates 3 fatal traffic crashes occurred during that period, all involving motorcycle operators. Of the 36 reported DUII arrests during that period by OSP troopers, fourteen (14) occurred Saturday, ten (10) on Sunday, and twelve (12) on St. Patrick’s Day between 12:01 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Last year when St. Patrick’s Day was on a Sunday, OSP troopers reported 29 DUII arrests between 12:01 a.m., Saturday, through 4:00 a.m., Monday. Seventeen (17) arrests occurred on St. Patrick’s Day between 12:01 a.m., Sunday, and 4:00 a.m., Monday. There are 3 confirmed fatal traffic crashes that occurred March 15 through March 17, each involving motorcycles whose operator was killed. Two of these crashes occurred on Saturday in southern Oregon and the third was on Monday along Highway 20 in Lincoln County that resulted in the death of a 65-year old California man. OSP is not aware of confirming information that any of the 3 fatalities were alcohol-involved. Excessive speed may have been a contributing factor in each fatal crash. Prior to this year according to ODOT’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), over the years 2007 – 2013 there were 4 traffic fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day. No deaths were recorded 2008 – 2011 and in 2013. Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, and ODOT thank each person who celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and pledged to play it smart by driving sober or using a designated driver.