Police Department

DUI Emphasis Patrol

Julie Humphreys, 509.625.5868

Friday, August 28, 2020 at 5:08 p.m.

SPD participates in statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign, now through Labor Day

231 deaths were attributed to impaired driving in Washington State last year, that while more than 3/4ths of people in the state say they do not drive after drinking. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reminds us that it will take everyone to drive that number to zero. Fortunately, most Washingtonians (81%) say when they are in a situation to intervene, they will take action to prevent someone from driving impaired.

Here are some ways you can help:

• Arrange for or provide a ride home
• Arrange for the impaired person to stay where they are
• Offer your couch for the night
• Engage someone else to help, including calling 911

Drivers who are impaired from more than one substance – usually alcohol and cannabis – are now the most common type of driver involved in deadly crashes. If you use marijuana after drinking alcohol, you increase your crash risk.

SPD enforcement patrols are in effect now. If you drive impaired, you will be cited. From Oct. 2018 through Sept. 2019, SPD made 660 DUI arrests.  From Oct. 2019 through July 31, 2020, SPD made 459 DUI related arrests, in spite of COVID impacts, putting us on track to be near or over 600 arrests again.

Being arrested for DUI is expensive. Consequences include a $5,000 fine, legal bills up to $10,000, 100% increase in insurance rates, one year in jail, suspended license and installation of ignition interlock device on your car; not to mention the heartache and pain an impaired driver causes themselves and others.

Labor Day weekend is often a deadly time for impaired driver involved crashes. Impaired driving means alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and many over the counter drugs like Nyquil, Ambien, pain and allergy meds.

SPD reminds you to be smart, be safe, don’t drive impaired and enjoy the last days of summer.

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