KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Cocktails and driving are a hazardous mix anytime, but this weekend when there are extra DUI patrols the chances increase that the mix could lead to a shameful, heart-to-heart with a police officer. Beginning tonight and continuing through the New Year weekend, law enforcement agencies throughout the area will have extra officers working to find and remove drunken, drugged and other dangerous drivers from local roadways.
“Alcohol-related collisions shatter the lives of victims and their families,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “Celebrate the New Year wisely by driving cautiously and only when sober.”
These overtime patrols are part of the statewide “Drive Hammered - Get Nailed” Holiday Campaign, funded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. The King County Traffic Safety Coalition and the Eastside DUI Task Force coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to conduct patrols locally.
In 2004, 563 people died in traffic crashes in Washington State; 44 % of these people died in alcohol-related crashes. From 1999 through 2003, Washington State lost 26 people in traffic crashes over the New Year holiday. Half of these people died in “drinking-driver involved” crashes.
“For many people, their ability to drive is affected by just one glass of beer, wine or cocktail,” said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health Officer for Public Health- Seattle & King County. “Protect yourself by drinking at home or arranging for a taxi or sober friend to drive you between parties, bars, and your home.”
In Washington, a DUI arrest may result in jail time and thousands of dollars in court costs, attorney fees, insurance payments and tickets. It may also lead to mandatory addiction treatment, an ignition interlock, and lost time from work. Some people arrested for impaired driving lose their license, car or job.
“Drunken driving is a crime that has serious consequences,” said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. “Avoid the shame and other costs of a DUI by driving only when sober.”
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Members of news media interested in doing a ride-along with law enforcement in King County can call 206-205-3331.
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King County Traffic Safety Coalition
Public Health - Seattle & King County staffs the King County Traffic Safety Coalition. 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.
Public Health – Seattle & King County is among the largest metropolitan health departments in the country, providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services that achieve and sustain safer and healthier communities for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County . Answering the needs of an increasingly diverse population, Public Health - Seattle & King County touches people's lives every day through health promotion and prevention activities, disease surveillance, health care, outreach and referral services, environmental health services, emergency medical care, jail health services, and readiness and response to public health emergencies.
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