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Traffic fatalities decreased in 2000 By Jill Briskey Fewer people died on Jackson County roads last year, and police are attributing the good news to education campaigns and strict enforcement of traffic laws. Police across the Rogue Valley have joined forces to promote driver education through a series of blitzes, news reports and free clinics. Although the final data won�t be verified until September, statistics for Jackson County show 22 traffic-related deaths in 2000, compared to the 27 reported in 1999. "That�s certainly good news to us," Jackson County Traffic Safety Coordinator Sandy Nelson said. "It�s a step in the right direction." Nelson says the decline is the direct result of recent public education campaigns on intoxicated driving and seat-belt laws. Local police departments, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation and the Jackson County Sheriff�s Department all took part. "I think we�re seeing the results of that," Nelson said. "It�s education. It�s really helped the public." Four of the 22 people killed last year were under the age of 19 � 18 percent of the total deaths. Nelson said in Oregon, teens make up 6.73 percent of the state�s motorists. Three of the county�s 22 deaths involved motorcycles. The only common thread among those fatalities, Nelson said, was excessive speed and loss of control. There were no deaths involving motorcycles in 1999. Twenty-three percent of the fatalities were alcohol-related. The final cause of another traffic death, which officials suspect also is alcohol-related, is still pending. Last year, Oregon State Police investigated eight traffic-related deaths reported in Jackson County. According to Lt. Dan Durbin, two people died in traffic-related crashes on Highway 238, three on Highway 62 and two on Highway 140. There were no fatalities reported on the region�s section of Interstate 5 last year. "I think it�s unusual, but it�s something we�re thrilled about. Certainly that�s where the most traffic is at," Durbin said. Durbin agrees that public education is behind the recent drop in fatalities on the road. "There has been some great education and cooperation between agencies," he said. Durbin said increased speed enforcement, tougher restrictions around construction sites along highways and a big crackdown on impaired drivers helped save lives. "There�s a lot of things that are happening where we�re trying to concentrate on high-risk areas," he added. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.