"It is dangerous and illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol," said King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. "Anyone caught driving with a .08% or greater blood alcohol level will be arrested."

Alcohol-related crashes are not considered accidents because they are completely preventable and predictable," added Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director, Public Health - Seattle & King County. "If you are going to drink over the Fourth of July Weekend, don't drive. Stay at home, take a taxi, or have a designated driver in the group who will not be drinking, period."

The Seattle Police Department DUI squad will be out over the Fourth of July weekend looking for those who would endanger the lives and safety of others by drinking and driving. According to Lt. Mark Kuehn of Seattle Police, "Too many people choose to celebrate the three day weekend with a deadly mix of alcohol, or other drugs, and driving. People need to remember that the limits are lower, enforcement is tougher, and the consequences are higher."

Other police departments throughout the region including the King County Sheriff, the Washington State Patrol, and police departments of Shoreline, Sea Tac, Tukwila, Kent, Des Moines, and Federal Way will also be looking for alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers.

Similar efforts to stem drinking and driving were conducted on Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day of this year. On these occasions, 530 drivers were stopped over the two days with 33 DUI arrests, and 34 additional arrests of drivers on the road with suspended licenses. Three individuals were arrested on outstanding warrants.

The King County Traffic Safety Coalition is very proud of the impact these efforts have achieved including no serious injury crashes during the emphasis patrol period.