YAKIMA COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY TASK FORCE

Edica Esqueda, Coordinator Yakima County Traffic Safety Task Force Sunnyside Police Department 401 Homer Street Sunnyside, WA 98944 Phone: 509-836-6216 Fax: 509-837-5873 Email: EEsqueda@ci.sunnyside.wa.us

The Yakima County Traffic Safety Task Force is coordinated by Edica Esqueda of the Sunnyside Police Department. The task force collaborates with local media outlets, volunteers, and government leaders to help educate citizens on traffic safety issues as well as promote safe driving methods.

News and Events:

"DUI Victim Signs; Families want to let motorists know that DUI kills"

The Yakima County Traffic Safety Task Force has come together and decided that the pictures currently on the DUI Victim Signs will be rotated. Victim's currently on the signs have been so effective these lasts few years; we felt that it was time to extend this opportunity to other families in Yakima County. There have been questions to when the pictures will be changed; the Task Force has developed a subcommittee to address the issues. If you are interested in becoming a member of the DUI Victim's Sign Subcommittee or know someone who may be interested in submitting a picture for the DUI Victim Signs please contact Edica at 509-836-6216.

"Night of a Thousand Stars" - December 15, 2005

This year the Night of a Thousand stars will be Friday December 15, 2006. This patrol has been a proven success over the years. Every year Officers, Troopers, and Sheriff's Deputies are out in full force enforcing DUI laws across Washington State. Yakima County is no exception with an estimated 12 extra patrol units out for the special patrol. Each year the Yakima County Traffic Safety Task Force likes to dedicate the memorial to a victim of DUI. In years past honorees have been Andrew Alvarado of Mabton, and Brandon Clements of Wapato. This year will be no exception. If you know someone who has been a victim of DUI please let us know so we can remember the victims of DUI through extra patrols to reduce DUI in Yakima County.
 

Resource Links:

• City of Yakima – http://www.ci.yakima.wa.us
• NHTSA Motor Vehicle Traffic Safety Facts - Yakima County
• Sunnyside Police Department - http://www.ci.sunnyside.wa.us/police/police.htm
• Yakima Herald Newspaper – http://www.yakimaherald.com
• Yakima Sheriff’s Office – http://www.pan.co.yakima.wa.us/sheriff/default.htm

Photo Gallery:

• Troy Allen Johnson is remembered by many as his mother takes his wrecked car and this memorial sign to special events in Yakima.
• Dr. Gina Beretta, WTSC; Raul Almeida, Hanford Patrol; PJ Haddox, Mabton Police Department; Distributing traffic safety information at the Slice of Yakima.
• Raul Almeida takes this young girl through a field sobriety test as she wears "drunk" goggles. Her attempts to walk the line were unsuccessful.
• Media Luncheon - December 2005: All media outlets, print, TV, and radio, joined together to brainstorm effective methods to reach Yakima County and help educate residents on traffic safety issues.
• Media Luncheon - December 2005: Lowell Porter, Director WTSC; Representative Dan Newhouse, 15th District; Representative Bruce Chandler, 15th District; City of Mabton Royalty, John Moffat, NHTSA Regional Administrator.