OSP increasing Highway 11 patrols
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, February 8th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MILTON-FREEWATER – Oregon State Police has been allocating available resources in the Milton-Freewater following an increase in traffic collisions on Highway 11.
“So when we have more than one patrol trooper available or on duty in the Pendleton area, we try to get one resource to go up and patrol in the Milton-Freewater area,” OSP Lt. Karl Farber said.
In collaboration with the local community and Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner), OSP has been increasing patrols in the area to reduce serious crashes and those driving behaviors which commonly contribute to serious injury or fatal crashes.
Farber encourages motorists to pay attention along the stretch of Highway 11 from Milton-Freewater to Stateline Road.
“A lot of driveways, businesses, a lot of roadway departure areas on that roadway with a fairly high speed limit,” he said. “So just be on the lookout for vehicles entering and exiting the roadway.”
OSP encourages motorists to report suspected impaired drivers and those engaging in reckless driving behavior to local law enforcement agencies.
As for permanently stationing a trooper in Milton-Freewater, Farber explains “That decision, it comes from Salem, from general headquarters. They have to make sure they look at all the numbers and the numbers, you know, they work out for personnel.” Meanwhile, Rep. Smith is working towards finding the funding to have a trooper committed to that area.
Photo via Google Maps
