Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over! Extra Patrol for The Holidays!!

We all like to have fun during the holidays! And there are plenty of parties going on! Let's all be sure to take every precaution to keep our community safe! If you plan to partake of 'Holiday Cheer' in the form of alcohol, please take a few minutes to plan ahead and schedule a cab, or appoint a designated driver!

Please read this from the  Washington Traffic Safety Commission:

'Include a Safe and Sober Ride Home in Your Holiday Festivities

Benton and Franklin Counties, WA – The holiday season is nearly upon us, and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) would like to remind Washingtonians to plan ahead and use alternative transportation after drinking alcohol or using marijuana during celebrations.

Preliminary Fatality Analysis Reporting (FARS) data shows more than 500 traffic deaths so far in 2015, nearly 100 more reported deaths than this time last year.

“We have seen an unfortunate increase in traffic deaths this year,” said Darrin Grondel, WTSC director, “By encouraging people to plan ahead over the holiday party season, and to ensure a sober ride home, we hope our state will experience zero traffic deaths in December and through the New Year.”

Extra DUI enforcement patrols statewide began November 26 and will end January 1.

In Benton and Franklin Counties the Kennewick, Pasco, Prosser, Richland and West Richland Police Departments, the Benton and Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices and the Washington State Patrol will be teaming up and participating in the extra patrols, with the support of the Benton-Franklin Traffic Safety Task Force.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission embraces Target Zero—striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030, but we can’t get there without you. Driver Sober and be part of our Target Zero Team. Remember, drunk, drugs or high, it’s a DUI. For more information, visit www.targetzero.com.'