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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, February 4, 2010 Page 21 Prevent accidents with “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” plan From page 14 and impaired drivers who aren’t playing by the rules. Last year, OSP troopers arrested 50 DUII drivers over the weekend, twenty-one of which happened Sunday after 12 noon. Two years ago, troopers arrested 23 DUII drivers over Super Bowl weekend, of which thirteen happened after 12 noon. Annu- ally, Oregon police officers ar- rest an average of 25,000 DUII drivers. “The message is simple and to the point. Driving under the influence is a crime and just not acceptable. No matter what you drive – a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle – if you get caught driving while under the influ- ence of alcohol or drugs, you will be arrested,” said Chuck Hayes, chair of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII Salami recalled after illnesses From page 8 fully with the investigation. State and federal public health agencies are working with the Rhode Island-based company to determine if pepper is the source of the contamination. Salmonellosis symptoms usually develop within one to five days after eating contami- nated food. Oregon Public Health Division officials say cases resolve without the need for medical attention, and do not recommend antibiotics for persons with uncomplicated di- arrheal illness. The risk of se- vere illness is particularly high among the elderly, the immuno- compromised, and the very young. Some people with sal- monella bacteria develop seri- ous illness that can lead to hos- pitalization and even death. Consumers who have ques- tions about the recall can con- tact Daniele, Inc. at www.dani elefoods.com or call 888-345- 4160. People who have eaten these products and have devel- oped severe symptoms should contact a health care provider. The Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention has posted information about the multi- state outbreak on its Web site at www.cdc.gov/ salmonella. 25 Years Ago This Month From page 9 August. City Attorney David Frost presented a solution to the dilemma when he suggest- ed asking the state to defer the grant until the city has funds available to build city hall. Frost pointed out that this action would keep the site available for use during Jamboree. Sam Potter appeared before the council with a request that something be done about the use of Jake brakes inside the city limits. Mr. Potter had made the same request in January, and he said there was some improvement, but that truck drivers were again using the noisy brakes early in the morn- ing. The council asked Mike Smith, city superintendent of public works, to order signs prohibiting the use of Jake brakes inside the city limits. Knowlton reported that the Cemetery Commission consid- ers it necessary to remove some trees, install drain tile and a sprinkler system, and ap- ply fertilizer at the city ceme- tery. She also reported that the fence at Pioneer Cemetery is collapsing, and wanted to know what the city’s responsibility is regarding Pioneer Cemetery. Batty stated that the city has the responsibility to repair or replace the fence, and asked the commission to determine how much fence is needed. and retired director of the Ore- gon State Police Patrol Ser- vices Division. Irresponsible decisions can also have a bigger financial im- pact following an Oregon law change that went into effect January 1, 2010. Courts can now impose a minimum fine of $2,000 on those persons con- victed of DUII with a blood alco- hol content of .15 percent or more. According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, fatali- ties in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes accounted for 32 per- cent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. On Super Bowl Sun- day, 49 percent of the fatalities occurred in crashes where a driver or motorcycle rider had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 or higher. Oregon State Police, Ore- gon State Sheriff’s Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, ODOT and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving stress that designating a sober driver should be on the top of every- one’s Super Bowl party list. Join their team and report pos- sible intoxicated drivers to 9-1- 1 or Oregon State Police dis- patch at 1-800-24DRUNK (800- 243-7856). If you are hosting a Super Bowl party: • Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired driving crash. • Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers. • Serve lots of food and in- clude lots of non-alcoholic bev- erages at the party. • Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert. • Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired. If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant: • Designate your sober driv- er before the party begins and give that person your car keys. • Avoid drinking too much al- cohol too fast. Pace yourself – eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alco- holic drinks. • If you don’t have a desig- nated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober. • Use your community’s Sober Rides programs; • Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. • Always buckle up – it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers. For updated information on highway work and current trav- el information throughout Ore- gon, visit www.tripcheck. com, or call the Oregon road report at 5-1-1 or 800-977-6368. Ike Says… From page 2 thought in my mind, I started to investigate. We know what the accident rates are in Ore- gon, but how do we put it into perspective? Well, we all drive automobiles and we know it can be deadly, but we, as a society, seem to accept the known risks of driving. The national rates for au- tomobile accidents in 2002 were 22,000 acci- dents per million drivers, 10,000 injuries per mil- lion drivers and 150 deaths per million drivers. Now that, folks, is ghastly! You are 30 times more likely to get killed driving to hunt than dur- ing the hunt. So it does, indeed, seem to be a solution looking for a problem. I can understand why ODF&W Commission- ers would want to be proactive in addressing hunter safety, but they need to understand their scrutiny of sportsmen safety begs the question State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com of ODF&W staff safety. Why do ODF&W per- sonnel drive pickups painted one of the most dangerous colors for automobiles (beige brown)? Why are ODF&W personnel not re- quired to wear helmets while driving? They are 18 times more likely to die from a traumatic brain injury than they are to be shot while in the field hunting. It is all about perspective folks. So what about this writer, yep I wear H.O. dur- ing the deer and elk seasons, but I would vote for it to be a personal choice, to me it is an accept- able risk, just like driving. Izaak Walton League, Nehalem Valley Chapter meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Call 503-429-7193 for location. h? Running low on fait . Stop in for a fill-up