Driking and driving can cost a driver money in lawyer fees and fines. It can also kill an innocent person. Seattle law enforcement has decided to increase their work in getting impaired drivers off of the roads. The summer is the worst for driving as more younger and inexperienced drivers are out on the roads. Officers respond to an average of 60 fatal crashes every month during June, July and August.
This summer, police are trying to decrease road fatalities this June 9 through Sept. 7 – labeled the most dangerous 90 days to be on a roadway in Washington state. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) compiles data that shows that traffic crashes during the summer claimed 967 lives – accounting for 31% of all traffic deaths statewide.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) is taking safety seriously as it partners with other local police agencies statewide. They are looking to report, in September, their success using awareness education and emphasis patrols. They are calling it the statewide Surviving Summer campaign. It went into full swing this past weekend. WSP and other agencies made dozens of arrests just on Friday alone.
The goal of the Surviving Summer campaign is to reduce severe injury and fatality collisions. Together We Get There campaign data show that 78% of adult drivers say they don’t drive after drinking.
Traffic deaths reached a 32-year high in 2022, with 750 lives lost in crashes in Washington state, according to the WTSC. “Fatalities are at an all-time high,” WSP Chief John R. Batiste said. “We need the help of everyone. Be courteous, driver sober, slow down, so we can all enjoy the summer spending time with our loved ones.”
