This week, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Team conducted an enforcement operation in the French Prairie area in northern Marion County.
The focused patrol efforts were done during a four hour window on Monday morning and again for four hours during the afternoon commute on Tuesday. Deputies focused their efforts on dangerous driving habits known to contribute to serious injury and fatal motor vehicle crashes such as speeding, cell phone usage and following too close.
The Traffic Safety Team made 106 total traffic stops, issuing 146 citations and 15 warnings. There were 93 total citations for speeding, including 20 for speeds between 75-90 miles per hour. Additionally, 17 citations were handed out to unlicensed or suspended drivers.
The French Prairie area of Marion County sees a heavy amount of commuter traffic along multiple roadways such as Highway 219, River Road, French Prairie Road, McKay Road, Yergen Road, and Ehlen Road. These roadways have also been the site of multiple serious injury and fatal motor vehicle crashes.
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to collaborate with Marion County Public Works, the Oregon Department of Transportation and other community stakeholders to promote traffic safety in the community. The efforts earlier this week were funded by a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
