State patrol conducting additional DUI patrols

Published 4:11 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission is funding local emphasis patrols, in which troopers from the Washington State Patrol will work overtime to provide extra coverage at the hours when most DUI-related collisions occur, including this holiday weekend.

Since the emphasis patrols began on Nov. 25, WSP troopers have made 1,205 DUI arrests statewide.

“Every impaired driver we arrest and take off the road is a potential life saved,” said WSP Chief John Batiste. “Impaired driving accidents are preventable; the choice begins before you get behind the wheel of a vehicle.”

In the patrols, troopers are guided by data that helps predict the areas that DUIs are most likely to cause a tragedy. Anyone who witnesses an impaired or dangerous driver is strongly encouraged to call 9-1-1 and report the incident immediately.