What agents find

While officers find various traffic violations, the most common traffic violations include drivers without the required licenses and insurance.

“We issue a lot of citations for suspended driving and driving without insurance,” he said.

According to Winn, the offenses that significantly increase the risk of traffic accidents and injuries are the following mobile offenses:

• To follow closely

• Dangerous left turn

(Using a cell phone or electronic device while driving).

“In addition to these violations, passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk and failing to yield to a person in a crosswalk have a high potential to cause serious injury or death,” said Winn. “Of course, driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) is a crime with a very high potential for accidents with injury or death. “

Fines and driver attitude

The fines imposed on violators are set by the courts and are based on the classification of the offense or, in the case of speeding, the increase depending on how fast you exceed the speed limit, a declared Winn.

“Fines for violation typically range from $ 115, $ 165, $ 265 or $ 440,” he said. “The lower fines tend to be for most equipment type violations, while the higher fines are for travel violations. Speeding, disobeying a traffic control device, following closely, making a dangerous left turn, passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk and failing to yield to a person in a cross are $ 265.

Winn said officers received a wide range of comments from drivers arrested for traffic violations.

“Usually they say they didn’t know or realize they were committing the violation,” Winn said. “For example, they didn’t know they were driving at high speed, or they didn’t know what the speed limit was, or they thought the light was yellow when they passed, etc. ”

According to Winn, LCPD patrol officers note a specific attitude from the driver.

“Everyone seems to be in a rush these days and is trying to get somewhere,” Winn said. “You associate that with heavy traffic and slowdowns and they can get very frustrated and angry causing them to drive more aggressively, it increases the chances of an accident happening.”

Coping with traffic jams

The CHRA performs most traffic controls with patrol personnel on duty, but depending on the personnel, the LCPD increases patrols during certain holidays and / or special event periods. Winn said increases are generally discussed and set by supervisory staff.

“We are also using road safety grant funds to hire additional staff specifically to find drunk drivers or distracted drivers, or to conduct pedestrian safety enforcement operations,” he said. -he declares.

Grant funds are provided to LCPD by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Impact.

The LCPD has conducted various pedestrian traffic safety operations along the busy Highway 101 to educate drivers about the various crosswalk areas.

“Most of the marked and unmarked crosswalks are cause for concern due to the heavy traffic and the fact that many drivers are in a hurry and / or are not paying attention to their driving or the road,” Winn said. “Drivers are required to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, but it is also the responsibility of pedestrians, for their own safety, to be careful and monitor traffic when crossing to ensure they are seen and traffic stops. “

Over the next few months, the LCPD will conduct additional pedestrian safety operations.

“We will use the funds from the road safety grants for these operations and announcements of when and where the operations will take place will be sent to media sources before the operation takes place,” Winn said. “In addition, a sign informing of the operation is displayed before and during the operation in the area where the operation is taking place. “

Winn said that overall, the primary traffic advisory to the public is that everyone’s safety is the top concern and top priority of LCPD.

“We ask all drivers to stay alert while driving, to slow down and pay attention to traffic and watch pedestrians,” Winn said. “We recommend that they expect traffic delays, be courteous and be patient. Members of the Lincoln City Police Department are committed to continuing our efforts to improve road safety for our citizens and visitors. “