Grays Harbor County – The Washington State Patrol has investigated 12% fewer collisions along Grays Harbor County state routes during the first half of 2010, with a drastic 63% reduction where speed was listed as a contributing factor.
Troopers responded to 14 driver impaired collisions along state routes between January and June 2010, as compared to 18 during that same time period in 2009 – a 22% decrease.
This year, troopers have investigated 63% fewer speed related collisions along state routes, by responding to 18 so far as compared to 48 in 2009.
375 drivers who failed to buckle up were stopped by troopers, and 95% of them were issued a $124 traffic infraction. The percentage of unrestrained motorists who received tickets in 2009 was 88%, which means troopers are choosing to increase enforcement on driver behavior that can result in fatality or disabling injury.
The Washington State Patrol has assigned one ADAT (Aggressive Driving Apprehension Team) unmarked patrol vehicle to Grays Harbor County. Aggressive driving contacts throughout the county have increased by 7%, with 383 aggressive drivers contacted between January and June.
The 9 troopers and 2 sergeants who make up the two Hoquiam detachments have investigated 144 collisions – a decrease of 12% as compared to 164 during the first half of 2009. There have been zero fatality collisions along Grays Harbor state routes in 2010, compared to 2 during the first half of 2009.
Joint emphasis patrols organized by the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission allow local law enforcement agencies the opportunity to work together in proactive emphasis patrol – working towards the common goal of eliminating traffic fatalities. Troopers participated in a joint St. Patrick’s Day emphasis patrol which was organized by Susan Bradbury, Grays Harbor County Target Zero Manager, as well as X52 patrols over the Memorial Day holiday weekend and the WTSC “Slow Down or Pay Up Campaign” between April 9-May 1, Nighttime Seatbelt Emphasis Patrols and a June 25th DUI patrol. Troopers also participated in Grays Harbor Traffic Safety’s “Every 32 Minutes” at Montesano and North Beach High Schools.
The WSP Hoquiam detachments saw several changes this year, with the departure of Sgt. Brain Monteer who transferred to Bremerton, and the return of Sgt. Tyler Drake. Sgt. Drake spent the majority of his career in Hoquiam as a trooper prior to promoting to Sergeant and transferring to Burlington for a short time. The Hoquiam detachment also welcomed Trooper Brett Tolon who recently graduated from the WSP Academy.
Throughout the remainder of 2010, troopers will continue conducting weekly high visibility saturation patrols in identified areas of interest, focusing on collision causing driver behaviors.
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