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 4, 2012
Contact:
Dan Coon
Phone:
360-596-4012
E-mail:
dan.coon@wsp.wa.gov
253 Drivers Arrested for DUI Over New Year’s Holiday Weekend
- A somber start to the New Year with a three fatality collision -
Olympia -- Washington State Patrol Troopers arrested 253 people suspected of being impaired by drugs or alcohol over the New Year’s holiday weekend.
Tragically, three people were killed in a collision on Highway 2 in Lincoln County on January 1, 2012.
“It is always the hope that the New Year starts with people driving safe and sober,” said State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. “But, I am proud that our troopers our out ensuring impaired drivers are taken off the roads.”
The number of people arrested statewide for DUI by troopers over the holiday weekend decreased compared to the 286 people who were arrested for DUI in 2010. Of the 253 people arrested in 2011, 32 were involved in DUI collisions.
The New Year’s holiday weekend began at 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2011, and ended at midnight on January 2, 2012.
The reduced number of arrests this past New Year’s holiday weekend can be attributed to people choosing not to drink and drive.