Fatal traffic crashes in Oregon have elevated considerably, based on Oregon State Police (OSP).
“We have seen an alarming trend in fatal crashes across Oregon,” OSP Lt. Steve Mitchell informed the News Guard.
Mitchell mentioned his company has seen the rise in deadly traffic crashes over the previous two years.
OSP paperwork present the variety of deadly crashes:
- 2019 = 195
- 2020 = 200
- 2021 = 234
Over the years, regulation enforcement reviews have listed the reason for lots of the deadly crashes as one automobile crossing over the centerline of the roadway.
The News Guard requested Mitchell what OSP reconstruction of the lethal crashes reveal as the reason for the crashes. Is it driver fatigue, medical concern, consideration failure, texting, consuming?
“There is no easy way to narrow down specific reasons for distracted driving,” Mitchell mentioned. “All the things you mention in the question are causes of Lane Usage crashes.”
Mitchell mentioned there are particular areas of the state the place OSP is seeing an uptick in deadly crashes. Below are the highways OSP has seen essentially the most deadly crashes throughout the identical timeframe (2019 – 2021):
• I-5 and Hwy 99 in Jackson County
• Hwy 199 in Josephine County
• I-5 and Hwy 99 in Marion County
• Hwy 211 and Hwy 224 in Clackamas County
• Hwy 97 in Deschutes County
• Hwy 97 in Klamath County
• Hwy 58 in Lane County
• 1-5 in Douglas County
“There are numerous variables that can cause crashes in particular geographical locations,” Mitchell mentioned. “It could be increased traffic volume, a long weather event and motorists committing traffic violations that lead to crashes in a particular area.”
Mitchell mentioned the biggest contributor to the deadly traffic crashes is velocity and driving on the fallacious aspect of the highway.
State troopers and companion public security companies deal with what is known as the Fatal 5 driving behaviors, which Mitchell mentioned contributes to most of all motorcar crashes.
The Fatal 5 driving habits:
- Speed
- Occupant security
- Lane security
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
“Our patrol division troopers focus on the Fatal 5 violations to reduce crash and fatal crash rates,” Mitchell mentioned. “Through high visibility enforcement, OSP attempts to reduce the crashes related to Fatal 5 violations.”
Mitchell mentioned OSP makes the next suggestions to assist drivers keep protected:
Speed – Drive the velocity restrict and every so often drive the velocity with due regard to the situations on the time, which might be highway and climate situations that will warrant slower speeds for security.
Occupant Safety – Wear your seatbelts. Wear them accurately. Make certain kids are in correct little one security seats.
Lane Safety – Drive inside your lane. Keep distractions at a minimal that might trigger an individual to go away their lane. If you’re fatigued pull over and relaxation at a protected location in order that you don’t go to sleep and depart the journey lane.
Impaired Driving – Do not drive buzzed, whether or not from alcohol or different medication that might trigger any impairment. Call for a chosen driver, taxi, rideshare or different choices.
Distracted Driving – Put that cellphone down. Stop doing something that may trigger you to look away from the highway.
Three folks died following a traffic crash Aug. 15 alongside Highway 101 at Gleneden Beach in Lincoln County. On the identical day, one other deadly crash occurred alongside I-5 close to Woodburn in the Willamette Valley. That crash claimed one life.
According to Oregon State Police (OSP), troopers and different emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle Gleneden Beach crash at about 10:40 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, close to milepost 122 on Highway 101.
OSP’s preliminary investigation revealed {that a} southbound Chevrolet S-10 Blazer operated by, Matthew Phillips, 31, of Otis, crossed the middle line of the freeway and struck a northbound Freightliner dump truck operated by, Claude Segerson, age 69, of Otis.
The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer got here to relaxation in the northbound lane and the Freightliner dump truck left the roadway and went down an embankment. Phillips and his passenger, Christopher Padilla, 30, of Otis, and Segerson had been all pronounced deceased on the scene by emergency personnel.
Highway 101 was closed for about six hours in the course of the crash investigation.
Mitchell mentioned his company has seen the rise in deadly traffic crashes over the previous two years.
OSP paperwork present the variety of deadly crashes:
Over the years, regulation enforcement reviews have listed the reason for lots of the deadly crashes as one automobile crossing over the centerline of the roadway.
The News Guard requested Mitchell what OSP reconstruction of the lethal crashes reveal as the reason for the crashes. Is it driver fatigue, medical concern, consideration failure, texting, consuming?
“There is no easy way to narrow down specific reasons for distracted driving,” Mitchell mentioned. “All the things you mention in the question are causes of Lane Usage crashes.”
Mitchell mentioned there are particular areas of the state the place OSP is seeing an uptick in deadly crashes. Below are the highways OSP has seen essentially the most deadly crashes throughout the identical timeframe (2019 – 2021):
• I-5 and Hwy 99 in Jackson County
• Hwy 199 in Josephine County
• I-5 and Hwy 99 in Marion County
• Hwy 211 and Hwy 224 in Clackamas County
• Hwy 97 in Deschutes County
• Hwy 97 in Klamath County
• Hwy 58 in Lane County
• 1-5 in Douglas County
“There are numerous variables that can cause crashes in particular geographical locations,” Mitchell mentioned. “It could be increased traffic volume, a long weather event and motorists committing traffic violations that lead to crashes in a particular area.”
Mitchell mentioned the biggest contributor to the deadly traffic crashes is velocity and driving on the fallacious aspect of the highway.
State troopers and companion public security companies deal with what is known as the Fatal 5 driving behaviors, which Mitchell mentioned contributes to most of all motorcar crashes.
The Fatal 5 driving habits:
“Our patrol division troopers focus on the Fatal 5 violations to reduce crash and fatal crash rates,” Mitchell mentioned. “Through high visibility enforcement, OSP attempts to reduce the crashes related to Fatal 5 violations.”
Mitchell mentioned OSP makes the next suggestions to assist drivers keep protected:
Speed – Drive the velocity restrict and every so often drive the velocity with due regard to the situations on the time, which might be highway and climate situations that will warrant slower speeds for security.
Occupant Safety – Wear your seatbelts. Wear them accurately. Make certain kids are in correct little one security seats.
Lane Safety – Drive inside your lane. Keep distractions at a minimal that might trigger an individual to go away their lane. If you’re fatigued pull over and relaxation at a protected location in order that you don’t go to sleep and depart the journey lane.
Impaired Driving – Do not drive buzzed, whether or not from alcohol or different medication that might trigger any impairment. Call for a chosen driver, taxi, rideshare or different choices.
Distracted Driving – Put that cellphone down. Stop doing something that may trigger you to look away from the highway.