KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Drinking and driving have no place in the joyful tradition of Cinco de Mayo and extra officers will be out on the roads to make the point. Numerous Latino and Hispanic organizations support the effort by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the King County Traffic Safety Coalition and police departments throughout King County to have additional officers watch for drivers who mix drinking with driving on Cinco de Mayo. Last year, law enforcement in King County made 46 DUI arrests on Cinco de Mayo.
Leaders from the Latino and Hispanic communities encourage all King County residents to enjoy local Cinco de Mayo festivities and remember to celebrate responsibly by riding with sober drivers if drinking. The following organizations and businesses support this traffic safety effort:
- SeaMar Community Health Center
- El Centro De La Raza
- The Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Azteca Mexican Restaurants
Cinco de Mayo commemorates
Mexico
’s victory over invading French military forces during the “Batalla de Puebla” of 1862. In the
United States
, the holiday has become a joyful, cultural celebration for Mexican-Americans. It is usually observed with parades, music, folklore, dances, and food. Increasingly, Cinco de Mayo has become a general American holiday celebrated with parties and drinking.
“With many holidays being celebrated by parties and drinking, we once again urge you to plan ahead and have a safe Cinco de Mayo,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “If you will drink, do it safely by making transportation plans ahead of time. Ride with a sober designated driver, take a taxi, or use public transportation.”
On average, impaired drivers kill about 46 people each year in
King
County
. Holidays that are celebrated with drinking are particularly risky times for crashes.
“Impaired drivers kill or seriously injure hundreds of people in
King
County
each year,” said Amy Freedheim, King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor for felony traffic crimes. “We are serious about getting these drivers off our roads and prosecuting them for the pain and heartache they cause.”
Auburn
, SeaTac,
Seattle
, Tukwila, Woodinville, and the Washington State Patrol will all have extra DUI patrols working on Cinco de Mayo.
“Last Call” Taxi Stands
“Last Call,” a
Seattle
designated driver 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
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. Partial 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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