KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - People who drive after drinking kill about 46 people each year in King County but DUI enforcement laws can save lives. Public Health – Seattle & King County and the King County Traffic Safety Coalition are alerting drivers that police departments around King County will have extra DUI patrols working the Saint Patrick’s Day holiday.

“As with any holiday, celebrate and have fun but if your Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations involve alcohol, please leave your car at home” said King County Executive Ron Sims.

“Alcohol-related crashes are absolutely preventable, so make plans to get home safely before you go out,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “If you drink, use a taxi, bus or ride with a sober friend. If you have a party at your home, make sure your guests have safe rides home.”

Last year on Saint Patrick’s Day, law enforcement officers in King County arrested 40 people for DUI.

“This Saint Patrick’s Day, we join our law enforcement colleagues from across King County to find and arrest those thoughtless people who drive after consuming alcohol or other intoxicants. Make no mistake; we want these dangerous drivers off our roads,” said Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske.”

Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Woodinville, and the Washington State Patrol will all have extra DUI patrols working on Saint Patrick’s Day.

“Last Call,” a Seattle safe-ride-home program, maintains taxi stands in Fremont (at 34th & Evanston); Pioneer Square (at both ends of Occidental Park); and the Pike/Pine Corridor (at 10th and Pike). For more information go to www.lastcallseattle.org

Reporters and camera crews who wish to ride along with a law enforcement officer may make arrangements by calling 206-296-4767 before 2 p.m. on March 17.

More information about the King County Traffic Safety Coalition

Public Health- Seattle & King County leads the King County Traffic Safety Coalition. Members include representatives from law enforcement agencies, 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.

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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