Redmond police report March distracted driving, DUII arrests

In March, the Redmond Police Department conducted focused enforcement on distracted driving by contacting drivers who are failing to follow Oregon’s Unlawful Use of an Electronic Mobile Device law (ORS 811.507).

Three officers funded by a grant conducted over 12 hours of enforcement, resulting in numerous traffic stops.

The grant-funded enforcement resulted in 9 citations and 5 warnings for Unlawful Use of an Electronic Mobile Device. Additionally, 1 speeding citation and 2 warnings were issued for speeding; 3 citations for Driving While Suspended; and 7 other citations or warnings issued for other traffic violations.

Redmond patrol officers working their regular shifts during March issued 11 additional citations to drivers for Unlawful Use of an Electronic Mobile Device.

Redmond Police will continue enhanced distracted driving patrols throughout the remaining month of April. The purpose of these heightened grant-funded patrols is to reduce the number of crashes on our roadways which can be attributed to distracted driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016 3,450 people died as a result of a distracted driver. Similar to DUII-related crashes, these crashes could have been prevented.

In March, the Redmond Police Department did not conduct a DUII High Visibility Enforcement effort. Redmond patrol officers working their regular shifts during March arrested 12 DUII drivers.

Redmond Police will conduct enhanced DUII patrols throughout the remaining month of April. The primary intent of these heighten patrols is to prevent deaths, injuries and property damage caused by DUII drivers by removing them from the road.

Redmond Police Department officers are trained to look for signs of impairment beyond just alcohol, as many other substances, legal or illegal, can impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle.

The officers of your Redmond Police Department are committed to making Redmond the safest community in Oregon. Seeking grant funding from various groups to place additional officers on our roadways to deter and identify drivers driving distracted is one of many ways they are working to accomplish this vision.

Funding to support enhanced distracted driving patrols is provided by a Distracted Driver Enforcement Grant, awarded to the Redmond Police Department from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Please report suspected DUII drivers by calling 541-693-6911 in Deschutes County or anywhere in Oregon by calling 800-24-DRUNK (800-243-7865).