Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
August 2, 2010
Contact:
Trooper Krista Hedstrom
Phone:
360-405-6613
Cell: 360-265-1332
E-mail:
krista.hedstrom@wsp.wa.gov
Shelton Detachment Sees Fewer Fatality Collisions during First Half of 2010
Mason County – The Shelton detachment of the Washington State Patrol has reported fewer fatality and speed related collisions during the first half of 2010 along Mason County’s highways than compared to the first six months of 2009.
The detachment which consist of 8 troopers and 1 sergeant, investigated 3 fatality collisions along state routes between January and June of 2009. During that same time period this year, there has been one fatality collision where a four year old girl was killed in a one car collision along SR101 near SR108 on June 23.
DUI related collisions this year have seen a slight increase, with 17 collisions reportedly being contributed to DUI as compared to 14 in 2009. Speed related collisions however, are down, with 21 investigated so far in 2010, as compared to 34 during this time period in 2009 – a decrease of 38%.
Troopers have stepped up their efforts and continued to conduct weekly saturation patrols in locations identified as areas of interest, focusing on speeding, seatbelt use and impaired driving These efforts have resulted in 2,634 drivers stopped for speeding, 154 alcohol or drug impaired drivers removed from Mason County roads, 280 seatbelt tickets issued to unrestrained occupants, and 183 aggressively driven vehicles stopped and ticketed.
In addition, the WSP Shelton Detachment was named the District 8 Detachment of the Year for 2009 for their support of the goals of the Washington State Patrol and Target Zero.
WSP has partnered with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Shelton Police Department, and the Mason County Traffic Safety Commission, in joining together for several emphasis patrols during the first part of the year. Michele Baumgart, Target Zero Manager with the Mason County Traffic Safety Commission organized three large scale emphasis patrols including the Cheech and Chong concert at the Little Creek Casino, Super Bowl weekend patrols and Memorial Day Weekend patrols. These proactive emphasis patrols have contributed to increased motorist safety and awareness in Mason County.
The Washington State Patrol will continue to focus on collision causing driver behaviors throughout the remainder of the year, including enforcement of the recently passed cell phone law which went into effect in June – resulting in a $124 fine.