DUII cases drop significantly in Ontario
Sunday, January 7, 2007 7:23 AM PST
Andy Gates
Argus Observer
ONTARIO
The number of DUII cases logged by the Ontario Police Department has decreased by 37 percent between 1999 and 2006.
While the size of Ontario's police force has not significantly changed since 1999, the reduction in DUII cases may be influenced by tougher laws, fewer establishments that sell alcohol and alcohol training for waiters and servers, Ontario Police Department Capt. Mark Alexander said.
Ontario Police Chief Mike Kee said he also has noticed fewer DUII cases, compared to when he worked patrol in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Nearly 20 years ago, Oregon was the first state in the nation to mandate server training in the sale of alcohol, Oregon Liquor Control Commission Spokesman Ken Palke said.
It is illegal in Oregon to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, Palke said.
“We feel it's up to the licensee to be ever vigilant,” Palke said, when it comes to serving alcohol responsibly.
Police ask intoxicated drivers where they had been drinking, Palke said, and if a particular location is often mentioned, then OLCC will conduct undercover investigations and monitor service practices, he said.
The penalties for certain DUII cases in Oregon have become much more severe since 1999.
In December 1999, the crime of driving under the influence became a felony for people who had three prior DUII convictions within 10 years of their most current offense.
Malheur County District Attorney Dan Norris said that in January 2004, fines were increased $1,500 for driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle.
Another possible attribute to the decreasing DUII trend in Ontario could be that the number of city businesses with liquor licenses has also dwindled, according to OLCC data. In the last five years, four fewer businesses were selling alcohol in Ontario, Palke said. There were 48 business in Ontario with liquor licenses in 2001, which decreased by about 8 percent to 44 in 2006, Palke said. Anti-DUI commercials, may also have contributed to the DUI decrease in Ontario, officials said.
Palke said the OLCC is “pleased to hear about Ontario,” however other cities in the state have not reported the same sort of reduction, he said.
Driving under the influence of intoxicants is a factor in about 40 percent of the fatal crashes statewide, Oregon State Police Senior Trooper, East Region Collision Reconstructionist Scott Skinner said.
The average alcohol-related fatality costs about $1.1 million in Oregon, according to information from Skinner.
mike may wrote on Oct 28, 2009 12:47 AM: