Ride-along, Part 1: Redmond PD traffic officer hits the road to help make them safer for everyone

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Several police agencies across Deschutes County joined forces in a traffic enforcement detail this week. For Part 1 of a two-part series, Tracee Tuesday went on a ride-along with Redmond Police Traffic Officer Aaron Blackledge.

The multi-agency traffic enforcement detail included agencies from Bend, Redmond Deschutes County, Sunriver and Oregon State Police. They targeted high-traffic areas, singling out drivers who speed, are intoxicated or distracted or are passing illegally, or not wearing their seat belts.

Officer Blackledge has been with Redmond Police for more than 18 years. He talked about his role in these traffic sweeps, as well as his daily responsibilities.

"So we're looking for speeders, safety equipment, violations, any sort of lane violations, like aggressive lane changes," he told me. "People that are following too close, impaired drivers, and then we're also looking for the distracted drivers, specifically like the mobile devices."

During the ride-along, it became clear one of the most prevalent traffic infractions is speeding.

First advising a stopped driver that their conversation is being recorded, Blackledge asked: "Do you know why I stopped you? Yeah, so you passed by me at 76 (mph) in the 65 (mph zone). So we're kind of out here doing traffic safety enforcement out here. So we're focusing on speed. "

That driver got off with a warning, but the next driver was not so lucky.

Blackledge told the motorist they were getting a ticket for speeding and face a court date on April 15.

"There are some options on the bottom half" of the ticket, he said. "If you end up choosing one of those options, just make sure you get it done before that court date on April 15th."

This driver was issued a citation, and they will have to appear in court, if they choose not to pay the fine. Fines can range from $65 up to $2,000, depending upon how much you were driving over the speed limit.

"We're just looking to make the roadways safe," Blackledge says.

As always, police remind us all to slow down and drive safely every day, and not just while this traffic detail is underway. If you see law enforcement conducting traffic stops, remember it's the law to move over and give them space.