An annual law enforcement effort to rid the roads of impaired drivers during the holiday season starts today in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
The “Drive Hammered — Get Nailed”‘ campaign runs until Jan. 1, with law officers working about 65 extra hours in Jefferson County and Clallam County officials looking at spending about $5,500 in overtime, law enforcement officials said.
The project is grant funded.
Travelers are advised not to drive themselves home if they drink alcohol or take other drugs. A designated driver is recommended.
The program in Jefferson County is a joint effort among the state Traffic Safety Commission, law enforcement agencies statewide and the Jefferson County Traffic Safety Task Force.
In Clallam County, law enforcement personnel from the State Patrol, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department participate in the program.
The Clallam County agencies will also be using enforcement funds from the Driving 101 highway safety project to conduct additional patrols.
In Clallam County, there were 14 traffic deaths in 2004, of which seven were caused by impaired driving, according to a prepared statement.
In 2005, there were 10 deaths of which six were related to impaired driving.
So far in 2006, there have been nine deaths of which two were caused by impaired driving.
In Jefferson County, there were five car-crash fatalities, of which two were alcohol-related.
In 2004, Jefferson County reported seven fatalities, three of which were alcohol related.
No Jefferson County statistics were available for this year.