Patrols increased this weekend

MOSES LAKE — Local law enforcement is stepping up patrols for DUIs during the St. Patrick's Day weekend.

"The Central Basin Traffic Safety Task Force is reminding drivers not to get behind the wheel if they've been drinking," stated Erika Simmons, Target Zero manager with the task force. "Make sure you and your friends get home safely."

One person is killed every 51 minutes in an impaired driving crash in the country, according to the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The majority of these crashes involved drivers who had a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher, twice the legal limit. Between 2006 and 2010, two out of every five deaths on the St. Patrick's Day holiday involved a drunk driver.

"A DUI arrest is not the worst that can happen, you can be charged with vehicular homicide or vehicular assault if someone is killed or injured while you were driving impaired," Simmons stated.

The penalty for vehicular homicide in the state increased from a minimum of 31 months in prison to 78 months.

Washington state's Target Zero Plan is working to reduce the number of fatalities to zero by the year 2030 through education, engineering, emergency medical services and enforcement.

For more information, visit the Washington Traffic Safety Commission website at www.wtsc.wa.gov.

Local law enforcement recommends the following steps to have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day:

• Plan a safe way home before festivities begin.

• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and hand over car keys,

• If you are impaired, use a taxi or call a sober friend or family member,

• If you see an impaired driver, call 9-11,

• If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements.