Extra troopers out on the roads this holiday

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Story Published: Jul 2, 2009 at 2:49 PM PDT

By Kristina Nelson, KCBY News

COOS BAY, Ore. - More drivers than usual will be out on area roads this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday, and so will more state troopers.

Visitors and locals will be loading up their cars and hitting South Coast roads for the holiday, and Oregon State Police are reminding folks to leave for their destinations early and be patient.

OSP Lieutenant Steve Smartt, says troopers will be out watching for speeders and impaired drivers.

"We got a tactical plan set-up were gonna have numerous extra patrols on the arteries, 42, 38 and up and down 101," says Smartt.

Because they can't be everywhere, Smartt says they also rely on the drivers to be an extra set of eyes for impaired folks on the road.

"We always can use input from the public using their cell phones looking for impaired drivers. If you see somebody that's accelerating and decelerating, not keeping a constant speed, weaving in their lane, crossing the center lane. It could be fatigue or also impairment due to controlled substance or alcohol, let us know."

And Smartt wants to remind folks that drinking and driving on the dunes is also illegal, and police will be patrolling these areas too.

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