OLYMPIA — The State Patrol will have troopers out looking for impaired drivers this week as the new year approaches.
The increased patrols will include troopers who have been specially trained to recognize drug-impaired drivers. Troopers trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) also will be out to assist in identifying and detecting drug impaired drivers.
Multi-state effort
Washington’s State Patrol is working with five other states — Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona — to form the Western States Traffic Safety Coalition to remove impaired drivers from all roadways.
“The message is clear: A New Year but an old truth — there’s no safe place for impaired drivers to hide,” said a press release issued by the State Patrol.
“You can’t drive safely if you’re impaired,” said the release.
”That’s why it’s illegal everywhere in America to drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, opioids, methamphetamines, or any potentially impairing drug — prescribed or over the counter … Driving while impaired by any substance — legal or illegal — puts you and others in harm’s way.”
State law enforcement agencies from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona have joined efforts to address a traffic safety problem that transcends all state jurisdictions: impaired driving.
Prior to the last Labor Day Holiday these law enforcement agencies developed the Western States’ Traffic Safety Coalition.
