Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
July 28, 2010
Contact:
Trooper Krista Hedstrom
Phone:
360-405-6613
Cell: 360-265-1332
E-mail:
krista.hedstrom@wsp.wa.gov
WSP Investigating Fewer State Route Collisions Involving Speed and DUI in Kitsap County
Kitsap County – Troopers assigned to patrol in Kitsap County hope to see the downward trend continue throughout the years, as DUI and speed related collisions have decreased during the first half of 2010 on Kitsap county’s state routes.
Collisions involving impaired drivers are reportedly down 29% along Kitsap County’s state routes. Troopers investigated 27 DUI related collisions between January and June 2010, as compared to 38 during the same period in 2009.
Speed related collisions have decreased 18% year to date, where troopers investigated 92 collisions where speed was indicated as a contributing factor. The total during this same time period in 2009 was 112.
Although Kitsap County reportedly has a 98% compliance rate when it comes to drivers buckling up, trooper’s still contacted 1,414 drivers who were not properly restrained during the first 6 months of 2010.
This year, troopers have already contacted 898 drivers for aggressive driving. Three Kitsap County troopers currently drive unmarked ADAT vehicles, focused on stopping those drivers who choose to drive recklessly.
Troopers have investigated 3 fatality collisions so far this year, as compared to two last year. On March 14, motorcyclist Douglas Guy was killed when he left the roadway along SR16. Speed and DUI were listed as contributing factors. On April 10, Mark Schroeder was killed when he lost control of his vehicle on SR3 just north of Gorst. Drugs and alcohol were not contributing factors. And, on June 23, Shirley Buck was killed when she became confused and entered SR3 near Gorst the wrong way and was struck head on by a pickup truck.
In May, the vacant Kitsap County Target Zero Manager position was filled when Marsha Masters, who in the past has been an active leader with MADD’s Kitsap County Chapter, took over the position. Marsha will coordinate joint emphasis patrols throughout the county with Kitsap County’s law enforcement agencies, which will continue through the year. Several multi agency emphasis patrols including Whaling Days and the annual Kitsap County Fair have already taken place or will occur in the coming summer months.
In June, law enforcement officers began focusing on driver distractions by enforcing the recently passed cell phone law which makes taking on a cell phone without a hands free device a primary violation. This year, troopers in Kitsap County have already contacted 155 drivers for talking on cell phones while driving, and 10 for texting while driving. These violations result in a $124 fine.