PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon state troopers say they were encouraged by a drop in the number of arrests on impaired driving charges this New Year’s Eve.
The police say the number of people accused in Oregon of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was down by a third. Last year, it was 52, this year 34.
The reporting period consisted of the last day of the year through 8 a.m. the next morning. The statistics are preliminary.
The state police said they didn’t handle any fatal crashes on what is often a deadly night.
Trooper spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings says he credits people who made good choices about the holiday, such as getting a designated driver.
