Police agencies team up to nab speeders

EVERETT — The troopers want you to see them.

In fact, that’s kind of the point.

The Washington State Patrol is partnering with local police agencies to launch a new initiative to crack down on speeding in Snohomish County. If it’s successful, they hope to take the program statewide.

The new targeted-patrols program officially kicks off Monday, but police started test runs this past week. The program doesn’t have an official name yet.

The State Patrol analyzed data to find where and when the most speed-related wrecks occurred, especially those that ended in deaths or serious injuries.

The data highlighted three hot spots along the I-5 corridor and three in east county.

Most of the serious wrecks happened in those areas between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., State Patrol Sgt. Kirk Rudeen said. That’s the afternoon commute.

The same pattern exists on state highways, county roads and city streets, he said.

That’s why traffic enforcement crews from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and Everett Police Department are joining in.

Drivers may see police cars and motorcycles in the targeted areas from agencies that don’t normally patrol there.

Heavier traffic enforcement is planned in the afternoons in the general areas of north Everett, the intersection of I-5 and Highway 526 near Silver Lake, and I-405 between Lynnwood and Bothell.

In east county, the patrols will be east of Highway 9 in the north Lake Stevens area, the stretch of Highway 9 between Lake Stevens and Snohomish, and U.S. 2 in Monroe.

It’s not about tickets, Trooper Keith Leary said.

The troopers want people to see trouble spots saturated with enforcement and people getting the message: “‘You know, I better slow down,’” Leary said.

Sometimes, drivers get used to taking the same routes and get complacent about speed, Leary said. The new patrols are meant to be a serious wake-up call.

Lower speeds would mean fewer wrecks, and fewer deaths, Rudeen said. That also translates to smoother commutes and fewer backups.

Speeding is one of the top factors in traffic deaths in the state, according to Washington Traffic Safety Commission data. Impaired driving is the leading cause.

Everett police are excited to work with neighboring agencies to address speed problems in the city, Sgt. Ryan Dalberg said.

“We have a lot of concerns just because of the amount of traffic, the amount of pedestrian traffic and the sheer congestion of traffic that we’re seeing,” he said.

The anti-speeding program is modeled on Target Zero, a statewide effort to reduce traffic fatalities. It largely is focused on reducing impaired driving.

The new program is designed to track data over time, Leary said. Traffic patterns and driver habits change, so police need to do their homework and adjust to be effective.

Every time there’s a fatal wreck, they have to ask themselves how it could have been prevented, Leary said. Speeders are considered “at-risk” drivers for serious crashes.

“We don’t just come out here and treat it like a fishing pond and fill our bucket and go home every day,” he said.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.coms

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.