KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - With Cinco de Mayo festivities commencing this weekend, Public Health - Seattle & King County and the King County Traffic Safety Coalition announced that King County law enforcement agencies will work the roadways to keep them free of drivers that speed, drink and drive, or break other traffic laws.
"For our community Cinco de Mayo should be a cultural celebration venerating a great day in Mexican history. We encourage you to safely and respectfully enjoy Cinco de Mayo," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
"Alcohol and drug-related crashes are absolutely preventable. Furthermore, a high rate of pedestrian fatalities are also alcohol-related," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "If you must celebrate Cinco de Mayo with alcohol, then ride with a sober driver or use buses and taxis to get around.
During the 2001 and 2002 Cinco de Mayo traffic safety patrols, officers stopped 243 drivers for driving infractions and made 64 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI).
"The Traffic Safety Coalition has found that Cinco de Mayo has become as much of a concern as St. Patrick's Day for drinking and driving. We are grateful that our Coalition members in law enforcement will be patrolling our local roads during the holiday looking for aggressive or intoxicated drivers," said Tony Gomez, Chair of the King County Traffic Safety Coalition and Injury Prevention Manager for Public Health- Seattle & King County.
"Drinking and driving is no joke, and we're serious about saving lives," said Lieutenant Glenn Woods, Traffic Unit Supervisor for the Kent Police Department. "If you drink and drive or drive like a fool on May 5th, expect to see the red and blues and know that a jail cell awaits you." This year's Cinco de Mayo traffic safety patrols will include officers from the Washington State Patrol, the Seattle Police Department, the Tukwila Police Department and the Kent Police Department.
Reporters and camera crews wishing to ride along with a law enforcement officer during a Cinco de Mayo Traffic Safety Patrols may make arrangements by calling (206) 205-3331.
Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico's courage against a formidable French military force at the Batalla de Puebla in 1862. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a joyful, cultural celebration for Mexican-Americans observed with parades, music, folklore, dances and food. Leaders from the Mexican, Mexican-American, and Latino communities encourage all King Counties residents to enjoy local Cinco de Mayo festivities but to celebrate responsibly.
Leaders from the following agencies and businesses have expressed support for this year's traffic safety effort:
- The Consul General de Mexico
- Centro de la Raza
- Consejo Counseling and Referral
- The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- La Voz Newspaper
- SeaMar Community Health Center
- Azteca Restaurants
- Mazatlan Restaurants
- Torero's Family Mexican Restaurants
The King County Traffic Safety Coalition is chaired and staffed by Public Health - Seattle & King County. Members include representatives from a variety of King County law enforcement agencies, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, alcohol/drug prevention organizations, DUI victims' groups, traffic engineers, non-profit organizations and others. The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission provides funding for the Coalition and other King County traffic safety activities.
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