Police across Columbia Gorge, Oregon increase speed enforcement through July
Photo courtesy The Dalles Police Department.
The Dalles, Ore., July 15, 2026 — Drivers throughout the Columbia Gorge can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence on area roadways as police agencies step up speed enforcement during a statewide traffic safety campaign aimed at reducing crashes and saving lives.
The Dalles Police Department announced officers will conduct high-visibility speed enforcement on Friday, July 17, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation. The effort is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's annual Speeding Catches Up With You campaign, which runs from July 6 through July 31 and includes participation from law enforcement agencies across Oregon.
In the Gorge, participating agencies include the Oregon State Police, Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Hood River County Sheriff's Office, Hood River Police Department and The Dalles Police Department. Officers will focus on speeding violations in areas with a history of crashes, neighborhood complaints, construction zones and other high-risk locations.
"Like many communities, the City of The Dalles is plagued with drivers who drive far too fast, far too often," The Dalles Police Department said in announcing the campaign.
The department also shared several of the most common explanations officers hear during traffic stops, including being late, keeping up with the flow of traffic, not realizing they were speeding or not knowing the posted speed limit, emphasizing that none are valid excuses for violating traffic laws.
Police are encouraging motorists to leave early, obey posted speed limits and report reckless or dangerous drivers. The Dalles Police Department said it appreciates calls from the public regarding speeding and reckless driving and will continue prioritizing traffic safety throughout the community.
The enforcement campaign comes as the Gorge has experienced several serious crashes in recent weeks, including a wrong-way collision on Interstate 84 near The Dalles that seriously injured multiple people and resulted in felony charges against the driver. Law enforcement officials say reducing excessive speed is one of the most effective ways to decrease the severity of crashes and improve roadway safety.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding contributed to 28% of all fatal crashes, 13% of injury crashes and 8% of property-damage-only crashes nationwide in 2024. The agency reported 11,288 people were killed in speeding-related crashes last year, accounting for 29% of all traffic fatalities, while an estimated 316,757 people were injured in speed-related crashes.
Young drivers continue to be disproportionately represented in speeding fatalities. NHTSA reported that among drivers ages 15 to 20 involved in fatal crashes in 2024, 39% of males and 20% of females were speeding.
Launching the national campaign earlier this month, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison reminded motorists that "speeding belongs on the track, not on neighborhood streets or highways." Morrison said higher speeds reduce a driver's reaction time and dramatically increase the force of a crash, urging motorists to "slow down and enjoy the ride" as families travel during the busy summer season.
The national Speeding Catches Up With You campaign combines public education with high-visibility enforcement and is supported by an $8 million national media campaign. Oregon's enforcement efforts are funded through federal highway safety grants administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation through its Police Traffic Services Program, which works with local and state law enforcement agencies to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries through targeted enforcement and public education.
Officials said the goal of the campaign is not simply to issue citations, but to encourage safer driving habits and reduce preventable crashes, injuries and fatalities on Oregon roadways.
