07/02/2023
Trucking companies report daily unsafe traffic patterns around their trucks, and statistics show that crashes involving large commercial vehicles are often the fault of a passenger car. As a result, we hosted a special traffic detail Wednesday focused on unsafe drivers around large commercial trucks.
The mission took place on a stretch of I-5 from Wilsonville to Tigard and on I-205 from Tualatin to Clackamas. One of our deputies joined a driver inside a semi-truck donated from Western Mountain Transport to observe traffic violations. Our deputy was looking for violations including cutting off the donated semi, brake checking, failing to allow the truck to change lanes, cell phone/distracted driving, and other unsafe driving. Following the observed violations, other deputies and officers were then able to stop the drivers.
Mission results:
• Total stops: 74
• Citations: 58
• Cell phone citations: 10
• Unsafe/unlawful/un-signaled lane change: 4
• Multiple citations and warnings for speed (Highest speed cited was 98 mph in a 65 mph zone)
• 1 agency assist (OSP) with a traffic crash and DUII arrest/investigation
• 1 vehicle impounded for driving while suspended and driving uninsured
• One additional driver was observed driving 100 mph on I-5 eluded officers, but has been identified. That case is still being actively investigated.
We'd like to thank the following agencies that joined us on Wednesday:
• Hillsboro Police Department
• Canby Police Department
• Oregon City Police
• Milwaukie Police Department
