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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 1, 2005 State troopers will keep close tabs on Fourth holiday traffic By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Oregon State Police troopers will be out in force during the next several days, working to keep motorists alive during what is traditionally the deadliest holiday weekend of the year. Since 1970, more than 270 traffic fatalities have occurred on Oregon roads during Fourth of July weekends — nearly eight deaths per year, according to Oregon Department of Transportation statistics. "We gear up for these big holidays by putting into action all available resources we have," said OSP Lt. Tim Powers, who works out of the agency’s Central Point office. "Anytime you double the number of people on the highway it’s a problem." State police are using overtime grant funding from ODOT to augment regular patrols this weekend, putting more officers on the highways to combat impaired and dangerous drivers, and to improve response times to accidents. Beefed-up patrols will be most noticeable today and Monday, the two busiest days of the weekend, Powers said. Advertisement OSP arrested 110 people on charges of driving while under the influence of intoxicants during last year’s holiday weekend, and more than 1,600 speeding tickets were issued. OSP is taking part in Operation CARE, a nationwide law-enforcement program meant to curb dangerous and impaired drivers. "Even though our current staffing levels prevent 24-hour coverage on any of our highways, our objective is to get more troopers on the highways during Operation CARE to prevent these senseless deaths from happening," OSP Capt. Gerry Gregg said in a news release. Last year, six people were killed in five wrecks on Oregon’s roads between July 2-4. Another four died in three crashes on July 5. The deadliest holiday weekend on record came in 1980 when 19 people were killed in a 78-hour period, officials said. Powers said he’s optimistic the increased patrols will have an impact. "Hopefully, by putting out more patrols, we can reduce (accidents) a little," he said. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail State troopers will keep close tabs on Fourth holiday traffic ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s