FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Extra
Traffic Safety Patrols Are Looking for Traffic Offenders
May 5, 2004
Throughout Washington State, between May 10 and June 6, extra law enforcement patrols will be looking for speeders, aggressive drivers, people who are unbuckled, and impaired drivers.
Here is why:
In Washington State, speed is a contributing factor in more than 35% of all roadway fatalities and, in 2002, it hit its highest level in ten years, causing 39% of all roadway fatalities. In 2003, Jefferson County had 10 fatalities, mostly caused by motorists driving too fast for road conditions.
Aggressive driving is also causing deaths. In 2003, aggressive driving violations issued by the Washington State Patrol were up 219%. Aggressive driving includes dangerous speeding (15 mph or more than the limit) and unsafe passing (passing multiple vehicles, passing in no-passing zones, or cutting in too sharply after passing).
The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (1997) shows deaths caused by drunk drivers are trending upwards nationally, and are responsible for about 40% of the total roadway deaths. Jefferson County averages two deaths related to impaired driving annually.
Although Washington has the highest seat belt use rate in the world (at 95%), in Jefferson County last year the seat belt use rate stood at 80% in the county, and slightly lower within Port Townsend’s city limits. Studies show that a person wearing a seatbelt has a 70% better chance of surviving a crash than a non-belted person and a crash involving an unbelted vehicle occupant costs an average of $11,000 more in medical expenses than a crash involving a seat belted occupant.
During the traffic safety campaign, extra law enforcement officers from Port Townsend Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will join about 150 police and sheriff offices, as well as the Washington State Patrol, in working traffic patrols intensively.
The law enforcement traffic patrols are reducing vehicle deaths. In Washington State there were 130 fewer traffic deaths since the start of the Click It or Ticket Campaign last May. Injury collisions on the Washington Interstates were down by 11% in 2003.
“We need to send a clear message that dangerous driving behavior won’t be tolerated in Washington,” said Steve Lind, acting director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. “By focusing law enforcement activity and by publicizing this campaign, we hope to drive down the traffic deaths and injuries caused by drunk driving, aggressive driving and speeding.”
If
members of the media are interested in doing a ride-along with
law enforcement within Jefferson County, please call Linda Pfafman
360-385-3831 ext 521