Oregon fights distracted driving with 40 unmarked police cruisers

Oregon is taking an aggressive approach to combating distracted driving and speeding, enlisting a new force of 40 unmarked police cruisers.

By Brandon Turkus
BURNS, OR - JANUARY 28: Oregon State Troopers block a road entering the Malheur National Wildlife headquarters, as a large group of law enforcement officials congregate at a checkpoint on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge January 28, 2016 near Burns, Oregon. On January 26 eight protestors who have been occupying the refuge were arrested and one, LaVoy Finicum, was killed when the police attempted a traffic stop on U.S. 395 in a desolate area away from the refuge. The protestors first took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on January 2 to protest the sentencing of two local ranchers. (Photo by Matt Mills McKnight/Getty Images)
BURNS, OR - JANUARY 28: Oregon State Troopers block a road entering the Malheur National Wildlife headquarters, as a large group of law enforcement officials congregate at a checkpoint on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge January 28, 2016 near Burns, Oregon. On January 26 eight protestors who have been occupying the refuge were arrested and one, LaVoy Finicum, was killed when the police attempted a traffic stop on U.S. 395 in a desolate area away from the refuge. The protestors first took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on January 2 to protest the sentencing of two local ranchers. (Photo by Matt Mills McKnight/Getty Images)
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Oregon is cracking down on distracted driving and has added 40 unmarked patrol cars to the ranks of its state police fleet this year. According to Oregon Live, the new cars will not only target distracted drivers, but speeders as well. Distracted driving-related traffic stops have already jumped 37 percent since the new squad cars hit the road, so it looks like it’s working. On top of the new additions to the OSP’s fleet, the state Department of Transportation is forming a task force to cut down on distracted driving incidents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 3,100 people were killed and 424,000 injured in distracted driving-related incidents in 2013. Oregon Live says 1,500 people were convicted for cell phone use while driving in that state, while traffic deaths jumped 27 percent last year. Oregon doesn’t seem to have targeted any specific reduction in that last stat, but it’s likely an extra 40 cruisers dedicated to preventing distracted driving will reverse that increase.

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