Troopers step up their patrols

Washington State Patrol troopers will be on the prowl for drunken drivers, speeders and aggressive drivers this weekend.

As part of a safety campaign funded in part by the state Traffic Safety Commission, extra troopers will be on the roads today through midnight Monday.

Troopers will be using marked and unmarked patrol cars, motorcycles and aircraft in hopes of reducing the number of collisions and fatalities on the state’s highways.

In 2003, troopers investigated 376 collisions statewide, including three fatal accidents that killed four people, according to State Patrol spokeswoman Nelsa Brodie.

During the last three-day weekend, in July, troopers investigated five highway fatalities around the state. There were 358 accidents on state highways, with about 10 percent of those related to alcohol.

Snohomish County law enforcement officers also will be out looking for drunken drivers, said Tracy McMillan, Snohomish County DUI Task Force coordinator.

“We know there is a high incident of impaired driving during Labor Day weekend,” she said.

From 1991 to 2002, the state Traffic Safety Commission reported that 110 people were killed in the state during the Labor Day holiday. Only the Fourth of July has more traffic fatalities during a 24-hour period.

The commission advises drivers to take the following actions:

* Find a sober, designated driver before drinking.

* Take a cab or bus after drinking.

* Spend the night instead of driving home after a party.

* Always wear a seat belt.

* Report drunken drivers by calling 911.

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