Police departments plan extra DUI patrols in King County Aug. 15-Sept. 1

Extra police patrols in King County are planned for the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign that runs Friday, Aug. 15 through Monday, Sept. 1.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Tuesday, August 12, 2014 4:32pm
  • News
Drivers should be aware of extra police patrols in King County from Aug. 15 through Sept. 1.

Drivers should be aware of extra police patrols in King County from Aug. 15 through Sept. 1.

Extra police patrols in King County are planned for the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign that runs Friday, Aug. 15 through Monday, Sept. 1.

Even though Washington legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older, it is still illegal and dangerous to drive under the influence of marijuana or alcohol.

“Specifically, we want people to know that marijuana doubles the risk of a fatal crash,” said Darrin Grondel, Traffic Safety Commission director, in a media release.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“With new retail marijuana stores in the mix, we want to remind the public that prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as illegal and recreational drugs, can impair driving ability,” Grondel said.

That is why extra officers will be on the roads looking for drivers under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs during the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Many of these officers have special training to identify when a driver is under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol.

Drivers are encouraged to find alternative transportation or ride with a sober designated driver.

“More people may be using marijuana recreationally, but that should never be mixed with driving,” said Lt. Rob Sharpe, commander of the Washington State Patrol Impaired Driving Section.

Sharpe noted that law enforcement has been arresting drugged drivers for a long time and will continue to identify and arrest drivers who make the poor choice to drive under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, or other drugs.

Additionally, law enforcement reminds young drivers that impairment laws are much stricter for anyone under the age of 21. A young driver who has any marijuana in their system or a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or higher is considered to be driving under the influence and is at risk for arrest.

During 2013 in King County 7,948 people were charged with DUI.

The Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Pacific, Port of Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Snoqualmie, and Woodinville Police Departments and the Washington State Patrol will participate in the campaign with the support of the King County Target Zero Task Force.

All of these extra patrols are part of Target Zero—striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. For more information, visit targetzero.com.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

File Photo, Sound Publishing
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire offers town hall about wildfires

Residents can learn how to prepare for fast-moving wildfires near homes during May 14 event

Chase Jones and his attorney Brad Barshis reading Jones’ statement to the judge. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/Sound Publishing
Man who killed four in Renton crash sentenced to over 17 years in prison

The prosecutor reported that he was traveling at 112 miles per hour when he crashed into the victims.

t
Three Kent men honored by state during fallen worker ceremony

One died falling from Seattle bridge; two others were fatally shot

City of Kent Corrections Facility, 1230 Central Ave. S. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Medical examiner identifies woman found dead in city of Kent jail

Cause and manner of death are pending for 45-year-old woman

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Large Kent Police response finds no weapon threats on Central Avenue

About a dozen police vehicles arrived in 700 block of Central Ave. S. Thursday, April 24

U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, USDOJ
Kent man pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking charges

Part of international drug ring that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine

Kent School Board members Tim Clark and Meghin Margel. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent School Board recall group files for reconsideration

Petitioners take next step after judge dismissed petitions to recall Meghin Margel, Tim Clark

t
Future female firefighters learn key skills at workshop

32 women participate in firefighting, emergency medical services training

t
Kent pedestrian killed in April 21 crash identified

Vicente Islas Gomez, 50, died of multiple blunt force injuries along Central Avenue South

Courtesy File Photo, WSDOT
Section of State Route 167 in Kent to be fully closed night of April 24

From 10 p.m. Thursday, April 24 to 4 a.m. Friday, April 25 between S. 180th Street and S. 212th Street

t
Kent man wanted in DV incident reportedly ‘has left the area’

Avon Cobb still on the run; flashbang device might have caused fire at Auburn business where he fled

Courtesy Photo, Comcast
Some Comcast, Xfinity Business customers lose service in Kent

Vandals damage cable line; service expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 22