A safe New Year’s weekend on Oregon roads

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — For just the second time since 1970, no fatal traffic accidents occurred on Oregon roads during the New Year’s holiday period.

The Oregon State Police says this year’s reporting period was 102 hours long — from Wednesday night through Sunday night. That’s longer than usual, making this year’s lack of fatalities particularly notable.

The only other recent New Year’s to be fatality free was 2003, a holiday period that lasted only 30 hours.

Over the past 10 years, an average of five people have died in traffic accidents during New Year’s.

Oregon State Police troopers also reported fewer drunk driving arrests during this holiday period in comparison to last year’s period. Enforcement of the new cell phone law was light as troopers reported seeing less use by drivers after the law took effect January 1.