Law enforcement officers will conduct extra DUI patrols as the holiday Drive Hammered, Get Nailed campaign begins on Thanksgiving.
Between Thursday and Jan. 2, officers will work to rid the roads in Clallam and Jefferson counties of impaired drivers.
The Drive Hammered, Get Nailed campaign is a joint effort among the state Traffic Safety Commission, State Patrol, the Clallam County DUI Task Force and the Jefferson County Traffic Safety Task Force.
The average blood-alcohol level of people arrested in Washington state for investigation of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is 0.14.
That’s almost twice the legal limit of 0.08.
But the blood-alcohol level is not all that’s considered.
“Please be aware, however, that you can be arrested for impaired driving even though your blood-alcohol reading is 0.02,” said Jim Borte, Clallam County DUI Task Force coordinator.
“A combination of drugs and alcohol, or a mixture of even prescribed medications, can result in impaired driving and may lead to your arrest.”
In 2009, 41,006 people were charged with DUI statewide.
In 2008, that number was 39,455; in 2007, 41,569; in 2006, 42,029; and in 2005, 41,872.
Nationally, an average of 30 people are killed every day in alcohol-impaired crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.
However, there is good news.
During 2009, there was a decrease in alcohol-impaired driving deaths nationwide of more than 7 percent, or 10,839, from 2008.
“In Washington, impaired driving is still the most frequent contributing factor in deadly collisions,” said Lowell Porter, director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
“During this time of year, with holiday parties and celebrations, we urge everyone to plan ahead and choose a safe ride home,” he said.
For additional information about the state Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.