January 14, 2026 3:20 a.m. 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has announced the results of enhanced DUII patrols conducted during the holiday season, which ran from December 10th through January 1st.

Drew Winkelmaier has the details: “Drew3” Q: News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN

A DCSO release said utilizing grant dollars administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation, three deputies had a total of nineteen hours of enhanced DUII patrol time on the roadways during various times during the enforcement period. During the course of the efforts, deputies made two DUII arrests and issued four minor in possession citations.

Deputies also took these enforcement actions:

*One citation for driving while suspended

*Sixteen warnings for speeding

*Five warnings for seat belt violations

*Twenty-one warnings for other moving violations

*Two warnings for distracted driving/cell phone use

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, pre-pandemic an average of 448 deaths and 1,739 serious injury crashes occurred on Oregon roadways. According to a 2025 update from ODOT, post-pandemic numbers between 2021 and 2023 were alarming. During those years, there were 1,789 deaths and 9,517 serious injuries reported. That is a 33 percent and 82 percent increase respectively.

The release said on average, one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 45 minutes in 2020. That is why DCSO is working together with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Oregon Impact to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, but it is also a matter of life and death.

DCSO’s message is Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.