Police enforcement efforts in full swing for C.O. Fourth weekend

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is cracking down on distracted drivers during this Independence Day weekend.

The agency is joining several law enforcement agencies across the state in a high-visibility enforcement campaign.

Police are looking for drunken drivers, and seat belt and cellphone violators.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins told NewsChannel 21 on Friday traffic in Madras gets congested at times, because many Portlanders use Highway 26.

“The main artery from Portland and Beaverton area is right on Highway 26, through the (Warm Springs) Indian Reservation, right out into Madras, then they head out to Prineville, Redmond and Bend,” Adkins said.

Adkins said his deputies will be out patrolling the streets around the county, making sure drivers see them.

“If we can get through this weekend without having major crashes. I’m going to be very happy,” he said.

The agency hopes this enforcement campaign will make drivers slow down and follow the laws of the road.

The sheriff’s office said there have been a number crashes on Highway 97, between Madras and Bend, so far this year.

“We’re trying to keep everybody safe,” he said.

The enforcement campaign is funded by overtime funds through the Oregon Department of Transportation.