KING COUNTY, WA - Today, on the eve of Cinco de Mayo, Public Health - Seattle & King County, law enforcement agencies and other members of the King County Traffic Safety Coalition announced their plan to increase the number of officers on patrol during the Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) and Memorial Day weekends. The officers will be patrolling and arresting intoxicated and dangerous drivers along Highway 99 and throughout King County.

Tony Gomez, of Public Health's Violence and Injury Prevention Unit, is joined by local police departments and King County Sheriff Reichert in announcing the Traffic Safety Patrols.

"Like on many holidays, too many people choose to commemorate Cinco de Mayo with a deadly mix of alcohol and driving," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "I encourage people to find safer ways to celebrate."

"Alcohol-related crashes are not 'accidents' because they are totally preventable," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Plan ahead if drinking will be part of your Cinco de Mayo festivities."

The Cinco de Mayo Traffic Safety Patrols will include:

• the King County Sheriff's Office
• the Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Seattle, Shoreline, SeaTac and Tukwila Police Departments
• the Washington State Patrol

Additional Washington State Liquor Control Agents will also be on patrol throughout the County.

Reporters and camera crews wishing to ride along with a law enforcement officer during a Cinco de Mayo traffic patrol may make arrangements by calling Matías Valenzuela at (206) 205-3331.

"May 5th has historically been a great day of celebration in King County," said King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. "We intend to keep it that way by ensuring public safety, which is our primary function as law enforcement officers. Please don't drink and drive."

The Traffic Safety Patrols aim to raise awareness about DUI (driving under the influence) and warn people about the hazards of drinking and driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and not using proper safety restraints.

Highway 99 is the focus of the Traffic Safety Patrol because there are five times as many alcohol-related crashes on Highway 99, compared to all other state highways in King County.

The King County Traffic Safety Coalition (KCTSC) will dedicate the May patrols to slain Des Moines Officer Steven Underwood who helped in previous traffic safety emphasis patrols.

During the 1999-2000 Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day patrols along Highway 99, over 20 extra officers made 775 stops for unsafe driving actions and cited 50 people for DUI. Since Public Health started organizing the Traffic Safety Patrols in 1999, there have been 1,897 stops for unsafe driving actions and 193 DUI arrests.

Much of the Mexican-American community, including the Mexican Consulate, Concilio for the Spanish Speaking, La Voz newspaper, Azteca and Mazatlan Restaurants, and Sea Mar Community Health Center, strongly supports the Cinco de Mayo Traffic Safety Patrols and educational effort.

The KCTSC is chaired and staffed by Public Health-Seattle & King County and is comprised of the law enforcement agencies listed above, epidemiologists, representatives from the beverage industry, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, alcohol/drug prevention and treatment organizations, DUI victims' groups, traffic engineers and others.