If you drive hammered, you will get nailed.
This message highlighted last week's announcement by local and state law enforcement agencies that extra DUI patrols will take place throughout King County from Friday, Aug. 18. through Labor Day, Sept. 4.
Participating in the extra "Drive Hammered, Get Nailed" patrols will be the Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Port of Seattle, SeaTac, Seattle and Tukwila police departments and the Washington State Patrol.
MADD, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the King County DUI Task Force are supporting the effort, which will include an additional 863 patrol hours on King County roads.
The additional patrol hours are funded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission with the goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities from vehicle collisions caused by impaired drivers.
Last year in King County, participating law enforcement agencies during the August Drive Hammered, Get Nailed campaign, made 175 DUI arrests.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission noted that more DUI citations are issued during August than any other month of the year.
Drunk driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in America - and in Washington State it is the single largest cause of fatal collisions, a commission news release added.
Between 2000 and 2004, 1,260 lives were lost on Washington roadways as a result of drinking and driving.
The agency recommended designating a sober driver or taking a taxi to save lives.
"Impaired driving continues to be the leading cause of fatal crashes both nationally and in the state of Washington," said Lowell Porter, director of the traffic commission.
"Every life lost at the hands of an impaired driver is preventable which makes each tragic death even more painful to the families and friends who suffer the loss of a loved one.
"We must continue to do everything possible to change this devastating trend. This crackdown on impaired driving is one of many efforts underway to reduce the number of impaired drivers on Washington's roadways."
