Law enforcement agencies, including the Renton Police Department, will conduct extra DUI patrols in King County Nov. 24 through Jan. 2.
Public education combined with strict enforcement is a proven method for reducing DUI crashes and fatalities, according to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.
The commission points out that strict enforcement isn’t the only solution.
In a news release, it tells the story of Carol and Frank Blair:
The Blairs have made it their mission to reduce the carnage caused by drunk drivers. On February 26, 2010, their daughter Sheena was killed when an SUV moved into her lane and hit her head-on. The driver of the SUV had a blood alcohol level of almost three times the legal limit.
While their grief is enormous, Carol and Frank are actively working to prevent drunk driving by leading many efforts to honor the spirit of Sheena and all other victims of drunk driving crashes. They urge every one to do their part this holiday season to prevent drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel.
“Don’t let our story become your story” said Frank Blair. “Call a cab. Call a friend. Plan ahead. No matter who you are, someone loves you.”
In 2010, Sheena Blair was one of 188 people in Washington who died as a result of a crash involving a drinking driver. Between 2006 and 2010, the five-year total was 1,191.
The death toll is why officers from the Algona, Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Burien, Clyde Hill, Covington, Des Moines, Duvall, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Normandy Park, North Bend, Pacific, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Seatac, Seattle, Snoqualmie, and Tukwila Police Departments and the Washington State Patrol will commit extra patrol hours to make the roadways safer for everyone.
These efforts are part of Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by the year 2030.
Last year during the same time period, officers in King County on routine and extra patrols arrested 876 people for DUI.
The King County Target Zero Task Force organizes and supports this enforcement effort. They urge you to join the team to prevent drunk driving.
