In an effort to keep the state roadways safe during the long holiday weekend of travel, State Patrol troopers made approximately 180 arrests or bookings of impaired drivers.
Preliminary data comes from statewide dispatch records from 8 a.m. on July 1 to 5 a.m. on July 5, according to a State Patrol media release.
Impaired driving is a primary cause in 46 percent of all traffic related deaths in the state in 2015. Impaired driving also includes drug positive drivers. In 2015, there was a 14 percent increase in the state in drug positive drivers fatality collisions, according to statistics from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. In 2015, the state had 203 fatal collisions caused by drug positive drivers compared to 178 in 2014.
The State Patrol urges drivers to drive sober and remain vigilant of other vehicles. If you see someone driving erratically, that is an emergency and you should call 911. It is legal to use your cell phone to call 911 to report an emergency.
The State Patrol is working toward Target Zero, reducing highway deaths to zero by the year 2030.
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.
