Latest news with #TrafficSafetyCommission
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
More patrols on King County, WA roads for '100 Safe Days of Summer' program
The Brief Increased law enforcement patrols in western Washington aim to reduce road fatalities during the "100 Safe Days of Summer." Speeding-related deaths have risen, with 31% of fatal crashes involving speeding drivers. Officials urge safe driving practices and planning for sober transportation to prevent accidents. BELLEVUE, Wash. - Expect to see a higher presence of law enforcement patrolling the roads in western Washington over the next few months, as part of the "100 Safe Days of Summer" program. The effort aims to keep Washington roadways safe from June 6 through Labor Day weekend, which is typically the most dangerous time of the year. Extra emphasis patrols are being deployed across King County as recent data suggests speeding-related deaths are on the rise. By the numbers Washington's roads had 253 fatal crashes between June and September, with 31% of them involving a speeding driver, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Data also shows fatal crashes involving speeding drivers have increased by 52% since 2019. The 100 Safe Days of Summer is led by the King County Target Zero Coalition, which has the goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities, among those walking, rolling, driving, and traveling on Washington roadways, to zero by 2030. They also lead the Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns. "This is an opportunity to remind everyone there are simple things they can do to keep our roads safe – and driving the speed limit is at the top of that list," said Sara Hallstead, Target Zero Manager, South King County. "We urge everyone to avoid following the flow of traffic and instead focus on driving the posted speed limit, which exists to decrease the risk and severity of crashes." While DUIs have gone down on state roads, substance use still remains one of the leading causes of deadly crashes in King County. "We're going to have drug recognition experts, we're going to have the state patrol which will have a mobile impaired driving unit. That's essentially an RV that has troopers on board that are authorized to take blood draws if we need to, to complete breath samples if we need to, and so it's really going to streamline the process for our officers. So the takeaway this weekend is if you're going to go out, you're going to drink, you're going to have a good time, don't drive," said Officer Seth Tyler with the Bellevue Police Department. Officials say if you see someone driving erratically, you're encouraged to call 911 and report it. This includes speeding, braking suddenly, swerving through lanes or making wide turns. "Every one of us has a role to play. Planning ahead can save lives and protect our communities," said Hallstead. "If you're going out, make a plan for a safe ride home. You can designate a sober driver ahead of time, use ride share services, take public transportation, or stay the night at your destination." More information about the 100 Safe Days of Summer program, visit the King County Target Zero website. The Source Information in this story came from a press release from the King County Target Zero Coalition and interviews with Bellevue Police. Travis Decker manhunt: 'Remote' areas of 5 WA counties told to lock doors Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle Key figures from Bryan Kohberger's youth summoned to Idaho for student murders trial Rochester dog training facility owner accused of killing employee during video shoot To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Washington eyes speed-limiting tech for reckless drivers after Renton crash kills 4
Lawmakers in Washington state are moving to require GPS-based speed-limiting devices for repeat traffic offenders, using the case of a teen driver who caused a fatal high-speed crash in Renton as a powerful example. The technology, known as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), prevents vehicles from exceeding the posted speed limit by using GPS to track location and adjust speed accordingly. An override button may be included for emergencies, but any use of it can be reported to authorities. The move comes amid a national push to curb excessive speeding, which has contributed to a rise in traffic fatalities across the country. Washington joins a growing list of jurisdictions — including Virginia, Washington, D.C., and potentially California and New York — considering laws to mandate or allow ISA devices for the most dangerous drivers. In March 2024, Chase Daniel Jones, 19, was driving 112 mph when he ran a red light and crashed into a minivan in Renton, killing 38-year-old Andrea Hudson and three children she was transporting for a homeschool co-op: Boyd 'Buster' Brown, 12; Eloise Wilcoxson, 12; and Matilda Wilcoxson, 13. Hudson's two children survived with serious injuries. Jones had totaled two other cars in the year before the fatal crash. Although he had no speeding citations on his record, he told authorities he was 'addicted to speed.' A King County judge sentenced Jones to more than 17 years in prison and imposed a unique condition: when Jones is released and becomes eligible to drive again, he must use a speed-limiting device in his vehicle. Washington state lawmakers recently passed the BEAM Act — named after the four Renton crash victims — which would allow or require courts to impose ISA technology on high-risk drivers whose licenses are reinstated. Gov. Bob Ferguson is expected to sign it into law. Rep. Mari Leavitt, who sponsored the bill, said it offers a solution for curbing extreme speeding behavior that license suspensions alone don't address. Studies show that many people continue to drive illegally after having their licenses revoked. 'I guess I don't understand why someone is compelled to want to drive that fast,' Leavitt said. 'But if they choose to drive that fast with the speed limiter, they can't. It's going to stop them in their tracks.' Between 2019 and 2024, the number of Washington drivers cited for going more than 50 mph over the speed limit increased by 200%, according to the state's Traffic Safety Commission. Several companies, including Grapevine, Texas-based Smart Start and Cincinnati-based LifeSafer, are working with lawmakers to expand ISA use. The technology has already been tested in school buses and government fleets in Washington, D.C. Officials say improvements in satellite coverage have made real-time speed detection more reliable. The devices are expected to cost about $4 per day, plus a $100 installation fee, though reduced rates may be available for low-income offenders. Amy Cohen, who co-founded the advocacy group Families for Safe Streets after her son was killed by a speeding driver, supports the adoption of speed-limiting technology nationwide. 'When you are going a few miles slower, there's more time to stop,' Cohen said. 'And when you hit somebody, it's much less likely to be deadly.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Legislation to lower Blood Alcohol Content to .05 returns after two previous failed attempts
2025 has already been a dangerous year on Washington roads. In one arrest, an impaired driver was going the wrong way on I-90 and crashed into a state trooper. In Thurston County this month, one man was arrested twice at this same intersection for a DUI, on consecutive nights. The arrests are fueling calls for lawmakers to increase safety on the road. In Olympia, Senate Bill 5067 looks to reduce the state's blood alcohol limit for a DUI from .08 to .05. The bill is still in committee but has bipartisan support. The bill has already received a green light from Washington's Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). 'On average it's going to take three or four drinks for a lot of people in a couple hours to exceed that .05 limit. And I think most people if you asked them- would you get in a car with someone you just saw have four drinks of alcohol? They'd probably say no,' says Mark McKechnie, with WTSC. McKechnie calls the proposed legislation a necessary change, with a proven track record. Utah reduced their BAC limit for DUIs to .05 for drivers in 2018. Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission found that in 2019 Utah's fatal crash rates dropped by nearly 20 percent. Washington's bill to lower the legal limit has failed to pass the last two legislative sessions. One of the opposition points to the legislation, is the potential for higher DUI arrests and convictions. Attorney Ryan English tells KIRO 7, 'This bill would add further congestion to court dockets…Its passage would open up the floodgates to needless litigation.' When asked about the potential uptick in arrests, McKechnie says that hasn't been the case in Utah. 'They really haven't seen arrests increase,' says McKechnie. The Senate Committee on Transportation will vote on SB 5067 Tuesday afternoon. If passed, it would head to the Senate floor.
