Of the 257 arrests for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs made between New Year’s Eve and Sunday, just one happened on the North Olympic Peninsula.
“That’s a good thing,” said Trooper Krista Hedstrom, State Patrol spokeswoman.
“We’d rather see the numbers low.”
The region’s lone DUI arrest occurred on the West End of Clallam County on state Highway 110 near Forks.
“By only having one, that right there tells me people are actually listening and hearing the messages people put out about designated drivers, calling cabs and spending the night,” Hedstrom said.
“We’re happy with that.”
There were no alcohol-related traffic deaths on state highways over New Year’s weekend.
Last year, there were five fatalities and 291 DUI arrests on state highways on the New Year’s weekend.
Hedstrom said it’s unusual to have no fatalities on the traditional party weekend.
“That tells us people are doing something right,” she said.
Collisions on state highways also fell from 42 to 33 this New Year’s weekend.
None of those collisions happened this year in Clallam or Jefferson counties.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
