ROSEBURG, Ore. (KMTR) -- The dangers of driving drugged or drunk are serious and sponsors of the 3D Prevention campaign say education is very important.
To raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence, ODOT, along with many community sponsors, are holding a family-friendly event this weekend in Roseburg. Some of those other sponsors are MADD, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and the Roseburg Police Department.
This is the first year Clint Newell Auto Group is taking part. They're hosting the event which is 100 free to the public. There will be hot dogs, monster truck rides, raffle prizes and much more. ODOT encourages families, especially those with teen drivers, to come out and learn about the serious risks of driving under the influence.
"What we see is an ebb and flow," says Rosalee Senger, the ODOT Region Traffic Safety Coordinator. "Our numbers will go really high . . . then maybe they'll drop down a little bit and we know there's a direct correlation with education and re-education."
She says that last year in Oregon there were 331 traffic fatalities with 45% of those due to drugs and alcohol. ODOT stresses that those fatalities are all avoidable; people just need the education to make the right choices.
The 3D Prevention campaign launch event is Saturday, November 17 at the Clint Newell Auto Group located at 1481 Northeast Stephens Street in Roseburg. It's scheduled from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, and will go be held rain or shine.