Joce Johnson

Statesman Journal

Of all the holiday weekends, the Fourth of July is the deadliest in Oregon in terms of traffic crashes.

Even over New Year's Eve and travel-heavy Thanksgiving, July 4 accumulates more motor vehicle-involved fatalities than any other time.

"It's the unfortunate perfect storm on the Fourth of July weekend," said Shelley Snow of the Oregon Department of Transportation's public affairs.

In the past 25 years, almost half of Oregon's fatalities were in alcohol-involved crashes. More than 300 people have died since 1970 — 61 of which occurred between 2000 and 2013, according to ODOT and Oregon State Police.

In order to prepare, local law enforcement agencies will up the ante on their traffic patrols. this weekend, which officially begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 3 and ends Sunday, July 6 just before midnight.

The focus? Impaired drivers.

The overall goal is to reduce the number of motor vehicle deaths and injuries through educating the public and concentrating enforcement efforts on DUI driving, said Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada in a press release.

Traffic Safety Officers will be looking to take impaired drivers off the road in Keizer, said Sgt. Trevor Wenning in a press release.

Last year in Oregon, four people died in four crashes. One involved a motorcycle operator, another was a pedestrian. Three of the four crashes involved alcohol, OSP said.

Between 2007 and 2011, 780 people died in crashes involving drivers with blood alcohol content of .08 or more. This accounted for 40 percent of traffic fatalities in the five-year period, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Eugene, police have taken it a step further. Concerned with the number of drivers who refuse breath tests to avoid sanctions, Eugene Police have established a "no refusal" program.

Police will quickly obtain a warrant to draw a blood sample at a jail or medical facility

This year, the holiday falls on Friday, which will extend the weekend and increase potential partying time.

"What it does it make a three-day weekend for people," Snow said.

Regardless of the day of the week, she said, the message is the same: Don't do it.

"Plan ahead. Get a designated driver if you know you're gonna have a beer or two," Snow said.

She also wanted to remind drivers that drugs don't have to be illegal to qualify you as under the influence. Regular and prescription drugs can also cause drowsiness.

"If you don't think you can focus on the task at hand then don't even take the chance."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

jdewitt@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6714 or follow on Twitter.com @Joce_DeWitt

OSP offered these tips for safedriving:

- Get rested and allow plenty of time between destinations

- Pay attention

- Stay updated on road conditions

- Follow work zone speed limits

- Share the road

- Be on the lookout for bicyclists

- Always use a seat belt and proper child safety seats

- Don't drink and drive

- Move over when approaching emergency vehicles