Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
January 24, 2011
Contact:
Trooper Brandy Kessler, Tacoma
Phone:
(253) 538-3105
E-mail:
Brandy.Kessler@wsp.wa.gov
WSP District 1 DUI Enforcement Continues to be a Success
The Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) District 1, comprised of Pierce and Thurston Counties, hit the roads hard in 2010 removing drunk and/or drugged drivers from the roadways, and the numbers show it.
In 2010 the WSP started the Target Zero DUI Team, worked federally funded DUI overtime from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) and continued its focus on DUI drivers during regular work hours. As a result of these efforts, a total of 2,614 drivers were removed from the roadways and arrested for DUI by troopers in Pierce and Thurston counties.
The Target Zero Team (TZT) team has found that working in targeted geographical areas has decreased the number of first time offenders, but at the same time the officers are arresting more repeat offenders. This shows they ARE making a difference in keeping drunk drivers off the streets and are arresting those that refuse to stop driving under the influence.
The state patrol works hard to arrest drunk/drugged drivers and protect innocent drivers. We as an agency cannot do this alone, we need your help. Football season is coming to an end, and with "Super Bowl Sunday" being one of the number one days of the year for DUI arrests, we ask that each of you be responsible and save a life; DON’T DRINK and DRIVE!