The Issaquah Police Department will join state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties over St. Patrick's Day weekend to search for impaired drivers.
“We remind people to drink responsibly and get a ride if needed, but don’t drink and drive. We will be out there," Issaquah Police Cmdr. Stan Conrad said. "We want everybody to have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day."
More than 40 percent of all traffic deaths in Washington involve an impaired driver.
Extra patrols are coordinated throughout the state by Target Zero Managers with support from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
The work is part of an ongoing partnership with law enforcement, public health and community organizations to reach the Washington State Target Zero goal of eliminating all fatal and serious injury crashes by 2030.
The Washington State Liquor Control Board also will be visiting local bars to educate employees about the extra DUI patrols and responsible service. Officers will hand out Click 2 Ride cards with information about taxi services that bars can share with patrons.
“We want to get the word out so people can make safe choices for themselves and their patrons,” Washington State Liquor Control Board Lt. Woodrow Perkins said.