KING COUNTY, WA - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County announced that officers from various jurisdictions in the King County area will be joining their counterparts from the 10 counties surrounding Puget Sound to conduct the third annual "Surround the Sound" law enforcement traffic safety emphasis patrol from October 26 to November 3.
"We can scare people with our costumes, but not with our driving. Halloween should be fun, festive and safe," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
"Fortunately, alcohol-related deaths and injuries are predictable and completely preventable," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Do your part this Halloween. If you are going to drink, don't drive. Stay at home, take a taxi, or have a designated driver who will not be drinking."
Spotlights on unsafe drivers in various areas
People celebrating during the week of Halloween can expect officers to pay particular attention to unsafe drivers who may have been drinking. They will also be looking for drivers who exceed the speed limit, fail to wear safety belts or commit other traffic violations.
Reporters and camera crews who wish to ride along with a law enforcement officer may make arrangements by calling (206) 205-3331 or (206) 205-5442.
For King County, the area of focus will be State Route 99, also known as Aurora Avenue, Pacific Highway South, and International Boulevard. However, this year, officers will also be looking at other major roads near State Route 99 such as Military Road, Greenwood Avenue and Des Moines Way South.
Officers who will be conducting the week-long emphasis are also urging drivers to be particularly careful on the evening of Halloween when many small children are out trick-or-treating.
King County area law enforcement agencies participating in "Surround the Sound" include Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff's Office, and local police departments in Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Seattle, SeaTac, Shoreline and Tukwila. Additionally, agents from the Washington State Liquor Control Board will perform underage and over-service checks in licensed establishments as part of the emphasis patrol activities.
"Surround the Sound" emphasis patrols will be conducted in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Jefferson and Clallam Counties. This activity is coordinated by local DUI/Traffic Safety Task Forces and is supported by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. In King County, patrols are coordinated by the King County Traffic Safety Coalition.
King Country Traffic Safety Coalition
The King County Traffic Safety Coalition was formed in 1998. The Coalition is chaired by Public Health - Seattle & King County and includes the law enforcement agencies listed above, health and traffic safety educators, epidemiologists, liquor and insurance industry representatives, victims groups and traffic safety engineers.
Since 1999, over 1,860 people in King County have been stopped for unsafe driving actions and 285 have been cited with driving under the influence (DUI) during these patrols. Also, 327 stops were made during the 1999 and 2000 "Surround the Sound" patrols, including 48 DUIs. During last year's patrols, 93 motorists were detained for impaired driving in the 10 counties, including 28 in King County.
Future emphasis patrols coordinated by the King County Traffic Safety Coalition will include more variety and surprise. Coalition members will plan patrols that focus on different geographic areas or traffic violations. To keep drivers alert, patrols may or may not be announced.
