KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - On Halloween weekend, law enforcement agencies from King County will join their counterparts in nine other counties to conduct "Traffic Safety Emphasis Patrols" aimed at identifying unsafe drivers and getting them off of the road. Law enforcement agencies will target drinking drivers as well as those speeding, failing to wear seatbelts, and committing other traffic violations.

Dubbed "Surround the Sound," this multi-agency effort will be conducted in the ten counties that surround the waters of Puget Sound. Public Health - Seattle & King County joins these law enforcement agencies in urging safe driving practices over the Halloween weekend.

"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 Halloween Weekend, don't drive. Stay at home, take a taxi, or have a designated driver in the group who will not be drinking, period".

But it's not just drinking drivers who will be targeted. Officers from the Washington State Patrol, the King County Sheriff's Department as well as SeaTac, Seattle, Tukwila, and Kent Police Departments will be looking for drivers who exceed the speed limit, fail to wear safety belts and commit other traffic violations. In addition, agents from the Washington State Liquor Control Board will visit restaurants and bars to educate about preventing underage drinking and over-service of alcoholic beverages.

Drivers are urged to be particularly careful during the Halloween weekend, when many small children are out trick-or-treating.

This emphasis patrol is dedicated to Mary Johnsen, who was killed by a drunk driver in Issaquah in 1996. It was her death that prompted sweeping changes in this state's DUI laws, resulting in legislation that greatly increased the penalties for drinking and driving. The new law that requires the usage of ignition interlocks for convicted impaired drivers bears Johnsen's name.

Officers participating in the "Surround the Sound" emphasis patrol are from Clallam, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties. The emphasis is coordinated by the local DUI/Traffic Safety Task Forces and is supported by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission