St. Paddy’s Day falls on a Friday — and local police are ready for DUIs
With St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, local police officers are gearing up for drunken drivers.
The agencies, which work with the Thurston County Target Zero Task Force, will patrol major roads to catch impaired drivers March 17 and March 18. The Washington State Patrol will work on local highways and Interstate 5.
The patrol is funded by a Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant.
Sgt. Bryan Wylie, of the Olympia Police Department, said efforts to curb impaired driving ahead of the holiday include readerboard signs and public service announcements.
“The Thurston County Target Zero Task Force is encouraging drivers to be aware that there is no tolerance for driving under the influence, and Washington state laws will be enforced,” Wylie said.
Other agencies participating include the Olympia, Yelm, Tumwater and Evergreen State College police and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
In Thurston County, 56.8 percent of traffic deaths involved impaired driving between 2012 and 2014, according to the Target Zero Task Force.
Amelia Dickson: 360-754-5445, @Amelia_Oly
This story was originally published March 10, 2017 at 9:52 AM with the headline "St. Paddy’s Day falls on a Friday — and local police are ready for DUIs."