Bend Police crack down on drunk driving during Christmas and New Year’s
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, Bend Police arrested at least 12 people for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, with blood alcohol contents ranging from 0.13% to 0.23%.
The arrests included one driver apprehended on Christmas Day with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.20%, and another found unconscious in the Taco Bell drive-through on New Year's Eve with a BAC of 0.23%. At least three of the DUI offenses involved drug use, including inhalants and marijuana. Additionally, two arrests followed traffic crashes, one involving a driver who fled the scene with a BAC of 0.13%.
In efforts to combat intoxicated driving, the Bend Police Department significantly increased its presence in the downtown area during New Year's Eve. Officers were deployed in larger numbers in anticipation of the holiday, which historically sees a rise in alcohol-related incidents.
To enhance pedestrian safety, a large boom light was placed at the intersection of NW Greenwood Avenue and Hill Street. This initiative aims to prevent vehicle versus pedestrian accidents during the busy celebration period. School resource officers in downtown Bend conducted an alcohol education effort by offering voluntary breath samples, taking between 150 and 200 samples from community members throughout the New Year's Eve festivities. This initiative was designed to inform participants about their levels of intoxication before driving.
In 2025, Bend Police arrested more than 550 people for driving under the influence, underscoring ongoing efforts to address alcohol-related traffic issues in the community. Continued initiatives are likely to be implemented to further enhance public safety during holiday periods.
