KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Law enforcement officers from all over King County will increase traffic patrols on St. Patrick's Day in order to identify and remove impaired and otherwise unsafe drivers from our roads. Particular emphasis will be given to Highway 99, due to the high rate of alcohol-related car crashes on or near it.
"Alcohol-related car crashes are the most preventable cause of premature death and injury in King County," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "If you are going to drink on St. Patrick's Day, don't drive. Stay at home, take a taxi, or have a designated driver in the group who will not be drinking."
Highway 99 is a particularly dangerous stretch of road, with five times the number of alcohol-related crashes as any other state highway in King County; however, drinking drivers are not the only ones who will be targeted during this traffic patrol. Officers from the King County Sheriff's Office and the Washington State Patrol as well as the SeaTac, Federal Way, Shoreline, 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, officers will be watching for pedestrians who are jaywalking and putting themselves in danger of being hit.
"Over the last couple of years, emphasis patrols on Highway 99 have been an overwhelming success," said King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. "Our officers will be out in force again on St. Patrick's Day. If you drink and drive, you will be arrested!"
"Like on many holidays, too many people choose to commemorate St. Patrick's Day with a deadly mix of alcohol and driving," added King County Executive Ron Sims. "I encourage people to find safer ways to celebrate."
The St. Patrick's Day emphasis patrol is sponsored by the King County Traffic Safety Coalition and Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Formed in 1998, the Traffic Safety Coalition is chaired by Public Health - Seattle and King County and is comprised of the law enforcement agencies listed above, health educators, epidemiologists, liquor industry representatives, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, "Driving Under the Influence" victims' groups, traffic engineers, and numerous others.
"I usually arrest more people for DUI's on St. Patrick's Day than on New Year's Eve, because people don't plan ahead," said Sgt. Jake Magan, supervisor of the Seattle Police Department's DUI squad. "If you plan to drink on St. Patrick's Day -- or anytime -- make transportation arrangements in advance so you don't have to drive after drinking."
