The holiday season is notorious for excess traffic and excess celebration, which prompted the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to publish in December bleak traffic fatality numbers: a 20-year high in traffic fatalities in 2021, with more than half of traffic fatalities involving impaired drivers.
The same report said preliminary data for 2022 indicates 15% of traffic fatalities were caused by impaired driving.
The holidays summon folks to the roadway in droves as people disperse across the state to celebrate the festive season with loved ones and spiked eggnog. However, law enforcement agencies will be stationed along the roadways for emphasis patrols through Jan. 1.
Trooper Darren Wilkes said around major holidays, like New Years Eve, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, impaired driving can be prevalent. Impaired driving can result in not only criminal repercussions, but impact a driver’s wallet, as well.
“There are defense attorney costs, court costs, increased premiums with your insurance company, if you damage your car, that comes with costs, sometimes medical costs,” Wilkes said. “It (costs) can get very high.”
Drivers are encouraged to call 911 when observing signs of potentially impaired driving: speeding, braking suddenly or inappropriately, or making wide turns, the WTSC said.
“Drivers are more than welcome to call 911 if there’s suspected impaired driving,” Wilkes said. “If there’s an officer in the area, they’ll do all they can to investigate.”
