Acting Captain Rob Huss
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
October 3, 2012
Contact:
Lieutenant Kandi Patrick
Phone:
(509) 682-8103
E-mail:
Kandi.Patrick@WSP.WA.GOV
Twitter:
@wastatepatrol
It’s Time to Put on Your Lederhosen and Be Responsible!
Wenatchee -- The Washington State Patrol(WSP) reminds Oktoberfest festival goers to have fun, but to consume alcohol responsibly and use a designated driver or public transportation. The doors open for this year’s Leavenworth Oktoberfest this Friday October 5 and continue until October 20, 2012.
Our goal this year is to prevent serious injury or fatal collisions from occurring during the three weekend event in Leavenworth. We will continue to be proactive in our effects to prevent these tragic collisions from occurring during the festival and stress the importance of having a designated driver and drinking responsibly said Lieutenant Kandi Patrick. The WSP will have additional officers out during the three weekends of Oktoberfest along with the Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU).
The MIDU is a self contained 36 foot motor home that travels across the state in support of all law enforcement efforts during Driving Under the Influence emphasis’s. The MIDU is equipped with three breath test instruments and two holding cells to effectively and efficiently process impaired drivers in a faster manner which subsequently gets the patrol officer back on the road in minutes.
We recommend the following:
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation, so you are sure to get home safely.
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to call 911 and report that driver.
- If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
- Always buckle up. Wearing your seat belt is the best defense against an impaired driver.
Be responsible – use a designated driver – drive sober or get pulled over!