Police Enforcement Campaigns
The city of Florence Police Department will be conducting a DUII Enforcement campaign. Beginning this Friday and lasting through the 4th of September local law enforcement along with partnering agencies will be on the lookout for impaired drivers. Additionally they will also be conducting another campaign on Monday August 19th through September 1st on the use of child restraints and safety belts in motor vehicles. The Oregon Department of Transportation has released data that show 37% of traffic fatalities were from the lack of seatbelt use or child restraint use. In 2021 data shows that the leading cause of death in children ages one through 12 were motor vehicle accidents. 1475 children in 2021 were injured in Oregon traffic crashes according to the data. These two campaigns are part of a national push that is funded federally.
Pedestrian Enforcement
Another campaign from the Florence Police will be taking place on August 28th. this is to remind people of the pedestrian laws regarding crossing in cross walks. Under Oregon law a crosswalk exists at any public street intersection, whether marked with paint or unmarked. Crosswalks also exist between intersections (mid-block) where indicated with white paint. Failure to stop for a pedestrian is a violation of law. On Wednesday, august 28th the Florence police will be conducting a pedestrian enforcement operation at the intersection of 9th street and Kingwood from noon until 3pm. according to Oregon law a vehicle must stop for a pedestrian until they have cleared the lane a driver is in and the adjacent lane. On a two lane street this means the pedestrian must complete the entire intersection before a driver can pull forward. A vehicle turning must give a pedestrian an additional 6 feet into another lane before advancing. The law is similar for marked and unmarked intersections. Vehicles are also prohibited from passing a stopped vehicle as it may be a clue that a pedestrian is crossing.
Air Quality
Air quality continues to be good along the Oregon coast and yesterday eastern Lane county got some relief from the smoke put off by a fire in the Umpqua National forest. The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency lifted their Air quality alert. The Dixon fire is still burning and evacuation notices are still in effect for area near the fire. Yesterday the U.S. Department of Agriculture closed a portion of forest previously opened in order to protect the public and provide more protection for wildfire firefighters. Multiple fires continue to consume thousands of acres across the state.