Law enforcement focused on impaired drivers
Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies and other first responders manage a DUI-related wreck near Moses Lake last year. To prevent such things from happening, GCSO and other law enforcement agencies have coordinated with the Grant County Health District to amp up patrols for impaired driving through Sept. 1.
FILE PHOTO
MOSES LAKE — Grant County law enforcement agencies are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” emphasis patrols through Sept. 1. The campaign started Aug. 13.
“Law enforcement across Grant County has been increasing patrols on the road as part of the high-visibility enforcement campaign,” wrote Elayne Rodriguez, communications specialist with the Grant County Health District, in a press release. “Officers are especially active at night to keep impaired drivers off the roads and reduce the risk of crashes.”
Reducing impaired driving has been the focus of many campaigns, but Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said the effort continues.
“We always hope to change people’s behavior when making bad decisions, like drinking and driving,” Foreman said.
But people still continue to drive while they’re drunk or otherwise impaired, he said. Impaired driving can and does cause crashes – in some of them, people get hurt, he said, and in others, people get killed.
“Those are certainly good reasons to not drink and drive,” Foreman said.
Impaired drivers can be any age. Foreman said Grant County has had impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes from the 15-16 age bracket to 81 years and older in the period 2015 to 2024.
However, accidents are more likely to involve people in their 20s and 30s, especially males.
“The numbers indicate we experience more people in the age bracket 21 to 35,” Foreman said. “Overall, the number one age bracket is males 25 to 30 (years of age) who are involved in fatal DUI crashes.”
Rodriguez said GCHD encourages people to plan ahead.
“If you plan to consume alcohol, arrange ahead of time for a designated driver, taxi or rideshare. If a friend is about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely,” she said.
People who are going to be the designated driver should take that role seriously and avoid alcohol or using intoxicating substances, the GCHD press release said. People should call 911 if they see an impaired driver.
“Always wear your seatbelt. It is your best defense against impaired drivers,” the GCHD release said.