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Print"Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" is the message that the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and other local law enforcement agencies around Cowlitz County are sending. By the end of November 2014, Cowlitz County law enforcement agencies investigated 3 fatality collisions involving impaired drivers. Impaired driving continues to be a leading factor in Washington traffic deaths.
In an effort to reduce alcohol-related fatality collisions, the WSP has partnered with several agencies throughout Cowlitz County to remove impaired drivers from our roadways. On December 12, 2014, several troopers, police officers and deputies in Cowlitz County are participating in a multi-agency saturation patrol known as "Night of 1000 Stars." This term represents the concept of a thousand officer's badges shining through the night, casting light on the problem of impaired driving collisions that result in the tragic loss of a loved one.
Be responsible and choose an alternative before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after you have been drinking. Some good alternatives might be designating a sober driver, taking a taxi, or calling a sober friend to drive. It only takes a few minutes to make a responsible decision that may prevent a tragedy that will result in life-lasting impacts.
It is important to remember this, in Washington state, impaired driving is defined as:
- Driving while impaired by alcohol
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher.
All agencies are active partners in the Target Zero program. The program is part of Washington's Strategic Highway Safety Plan, aimed to reduce serious injury and all traffic fatalities by 2030.
