Bend PD: 72 tickets in 5 days to drivers on cellphones
April was National Distracted Driving Month and the Bend Police Department, Bend-La Pine Schools, Oregon Department of Transportation, Bend Fire Department and several departments in the city made substantial efforts increasing public awareness of the dangers in distracted driving.
Between April 21 and 25, Bend police focused on enforcement and education of drivers driving distracted, specifically drivers using mobile devices while operating their vehicles.
Bend police, through a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation, had officers spend 59.5 hours specifically on enforcement of distracted driving — which is not a specific crime under state law but covers a range of improper, dangerous driver actions.
The time consisted of 40 hours of overtime and 19.5 hours of regular time during the four-day period. During the enforcement activity the following citations and warnings were issued:
Violation Citation Warning
Careless Driving
0
1
Unlawful use of a mobile communication device
72
15
Driving While Suspended
3
0
Fail to register a vehicle
1
0
Following too closely
1
0
Improper right turns
1
0
No operator’s license
1
0
Driving uninsured
5
1
Seat belt violation
8
1
Speed violations
5
7
Failure to obey a traffic control device
5
0
Misc violations
11
31
Totals
113
56
Criminal arrests- 1 felony and 1 misdemeanor
Vehicle impound-
1
There is a $160 “base fine” for the charge of “unlawful use of a mobile communication device,” said Lt. Clint Burleigh, though judges can take into account such factors as whether it is a first-time occurrence, which could lead to required traffic school.
“The Bend Police Department would like to thank everyone involved in helping educate the community on the dangers of distracted driving,” Burleigh wrote.
“This project provides insight on the desire the Bend Police Department has with working with community partners to positively change habits of citizens to make Bend a safer place to work, live, play and commute!”
