OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol said that last year between Christmas and New Year’s Day, troopers made 359 arrests for impaired driving.
This year, the WSP will join 10 other western state police agencies with emphasis patrols over the New Year’s weekend, with the goal of keeping people safe over the holiday.
The emphasis on impaired driving this New Year’s Eve will be the third Western States Traffic Safety Coalition joint initiative in recent years. Leaders from each police agency work together to make sure that roads are well patrolled, including state borders.
According to the WSP, an average of 300 people die in impaired driving crashes in the U.S. each year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Last year, there were more than 10,000 people killed in impaired driving crashes nationwide, which accounts for nearly a third of yearly driving fatalities.
“This shows that people are still making poor choices. Because of those choices, the WSP will be out looking for these impaired drivers, in hopes that all travelers arrive safely,” the WSP said in a news release.
Troopers are reminding drivers that driving while impaired by any substance, whether legal or not, is against the law in every state. That includes marijuana, which is legal in Washington.
Officers are trained to recognize the behaviors of impaired drivers.
“We receive constant feedback from Washingtonians that underscores the public’s demand that law enforcement strictly enforce laws that protect our loved ones and the traveling public. Impaired driving, speed and distracted driving can turn holidays from a time of celebration to time of sorrow, and we are going to do all we can to keep that from happening,” WSP Chief John R. Batiste said.
The Western States Traffic Safety Coalition is made up of 11 states that include the Arizona Department of Public Safety, California Highway Patrol, Colorado State Patrol, Idaho State Police, Montana Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Oregon State Police, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Utah Highway Patrol, Washington State Patrol, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
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