KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - During the month of May, extra law enforcement patrols will be looking for unbelted motorists as part of a “Click it or ticket” campaign, and extra officers will patrol streets and roads in King County on Cinco de Mayo and weekends looking for impaired and unsafe drivers.
“I'm proud to take part in the ‘Click it or ticket’ campaign,” said Mariners catcher Miguel Olivo. “As parents of young children, my wife and I always make sure our family is properly buckled up."
May is “Click it or ticket” month in Washington State. Extra law enforcement patrols will monitor city streets, state roads, and interstates in King County and all of Washington State looking for unbuckled drivers. Seatbelt violations carry a fine of $101.
The Seattle Mariners, Public Health - Seattle & King County, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, King County, and the King County Traffic Safety Coalition will hold a traffic safety news conference on Tuesday, May 3rd at noon, at Safeco Field.
This event will announce the Cinco de Mayo and Click it or Ticket traffic safety patrols, provide residents useful information for staying safe on area roads, and honor the cultural and historical significance of Cinco de Mayo.
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“Ninety-seven percent of us in King County wear our seat belts, but many die or are injured each year for not wearing seatbelts,” said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer of Public Health - Seattle & King County. “We need 100 percent seat belt use by everybody and all of the time.”
More than 100 people die each year in King County in traffic crashes. After Washington State adopted a primary seatbelt law and increased enforcement of the law in 2002, seatbelt usage rates in Washington rose from 82 percent to 94 percent in 2004. During the same time period, the vehicle occupant death toll dropped from 517 to 415. In other words, there were more than 100 lives saved due to increases in seatbelt use.
“This May law enforcement throughout the county will be out day and night working to keep the roads safe,” said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. “If you ignore the seatbelt law expect a ticket for $101. If you drive while intoxicated the consequences will cost you dearly in time, money and embarrassment.”
For Mexican-Americans, Cinco de Mayo (May 5) has become a popular day to celebrate their Mexican heritage. Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican victory during the 1862 Batalla de Puebla, when a small, poorly equipped Mexican militia defeated the invading French military. More recently, commercial interests in the United States have promoted Cinco de Mayo as a festive day to eat and drink Mexican food and beverages.
In Washington State, Cinco de Mayo has become one of the most dangerous driving days of the year. From 1993 to 2001, police in Washington arrested 1,079 drivers in alcohol-related offenses during the holiday. Last year, police in King County arrested 52 impaired drivers on Cinco de Mayo.
“Please remember the history of Cinco de Mayo and celebrate it respectfully,” said Plough. “If you drink while celebrating Cinco de Mayo make sure you have a sober ride home. Arrange your safe ride home before you go out.”
King County Traffic Safety Coalition
The King County Traffic Safety Coalition is staffed by Public Health - Seattle & King County. Members include representatives from law enforcement agencies from across King County, the Eastside DUI Task Force, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, DUI victims groups, traffic engineers, non-profit organizations, and others. Funding for the Coalition comes from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, King County, and state-provided local capacity public health funds.
