Grays Harbor County, WA – Thanksgiving takes on a special meaning this year as the holiday Drive Hammered, Get Nailed campaign officially begins that day. Between November 25, 2010 and January 2, 2011, local law enforcement will conduct extra DUI patrols throughout Grays Harbor County to rid the roads of impaired drivers during the holiday season.
“This holiday season we kick off the new Grays Harbor Target Zero Task Force emphasis campaign. Our task force is made up of all municipal and county law enforcement agencies within Grays Harbor in cooperation with the Washington State Patrol. Working together we have a common goal of continuing to decrease serious injury and fatal collisions. We will continue extra patrols again this year keeping citizens safe as they travel in and around Grays Harbor roadways” said Undersheriff Rick Scott, Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office.
The average blood alcohol level of people arrested in Washington for DUI is about .14. That’s almost twice the legal limit of .08.
Especially at this time of year, law enforcement officers statewide advise all holiday party-goers to designate a sober driver, take a taxi or choose not to drink alcohol because if you drive hammered, you will get nailed!
In 2009 there were 41,006 people charged with DUI in Washington. Here’s the breakdown for the past five years: 2005 41,872 2006 42,029 2007 41,569 2008 39,455 2009 41,006
This Drive Hammered, Get Nailed campaign is a joint effort between the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, law enforcement statewide and the Grays Harbor Target Zero Task Force.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 30 people are killed every day on our nation’s roadways as a result of alcohol-impaired crashes. However, there is good news. During 2009, there were 10,839 alcohol-impaired driving deaths nationwide, a decrease of more than 7% from 2008.
For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov
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