News

Whatcom County, WA – Between May 20 and June 2 extra law enforcement patrolled Whatcom County roads looking for unbuckled drivers and passengers, and motorists using their cell phones or other electronic devices.

During these patrols, 130 seatbelt infractions were written, in addition to 71 cell phone/texting or usage of other electronic device tickets. Last year, in Whatcom County, during this same time period, officers on extra patrols wrote 156 seat belt infractions and 42 cell phone violations.

In addition, one misdemeanor warrant arrest was made, and seven speeding tickets, six child passenger safety infractions as well as 29 uninsured motorists and eight suspended/revoked and non valid operator’s license violations were issued this year.

Statewide, during the patrols, law enforcement officers wrote 2,321 seatbelt violations and 1,448 cell phone/ texting tickets. Last year, during this same time period, officers on the extra patrols statewide issued 3,171 seat belt violations and 1,059 cell phone violations were written.

The Whatcom County Traffic Safety Task Force, law enforcement from Whatcom County, with more than 130 police and sheriff agencies statewide worked the extra patrols, funded by a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

These and all extra patrols are part of Target Zero—striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. For more information, visit www.targetzero.com.

“Click it or Ticket” Patrols Take on Texters and Talkers

This is one sample of news releases customized by county throughout the state.

SPOKANE, WHITMAN, PEND OREILLE, AND FERRY COUNTIES, WA - Ever wonder why Washington has one of the highest seat belt use rates in the country? It is due, in large part, to the highly visible “Click It or Ticket” campaign which includes publicity, extra enforcement, and signage. In June 2002, when the primary seat belt law went into effect, approximately 82 percent of Washington drivers wore seat belts and today, nearly 97 percent of Washington drivers are buckling up. Now, it’s time to focus on another important traffic safety concern – distracted drivers who are texting and talking on their cell phones!

Between May 20 and June 2, motorists in Spokane, Whitman, Pend Oreille and Ferry Counties can expect to see law enforcement patrolling city and county roads in search of unbuckled drivers and passengers and drivers using their cell phones.

Last year, during this same time period, officers on routine and extra patrols statewide issued 3,171 seat belt violations amongst the 11,047 motorists who were stopped.

Similarly, last year during this time period, 1,059 cell phone violations were written.  However, taking a historical look, in 2010, (the same year cell phone use became a primary law in Washington), only 63 drivers were cited statewide.

In Spokane, Whitman, Pend Oreille and Ferry Counties, the Cheney, City of Airway Heights, Colfax, Eastern Washington University, Pullman, Republic, Spokane, Spokane Valley and Washington State University Police Departments, the Ferry, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Whitman County Sheriff’s Offices as well as the Washington State Patrol will be teaming up and participating in these extra patrols, with the support of the Spokane County Target Zero Task Force.

These and all extra patrols are part of Target Zero—striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030.

“These programs are one reason that Washington State is a national leader in traffic safety,” says WSTC Commissioner and Spokane City Councilmember Jon Snyder. “The goal of Target Zero is to eventually eliminate traffic deaths in our state.”

For more information, visit www.targetzero.com.

Yakima and Union Gap secure funding to help with dangerous roadways

UNION GAP, WA – On Wednesday March 27th at 1:00pm at the corner of Old Town Road and 1st /Main Street, Mayors Micah Cawley and Roger Wentz will be joined by concerned citizens and local agencies to launch the Yakima-Union Gap Traffic Safety Project, a two year effort to improve traffic safety along 1st /Main and Nob Hill Boulevard. This project will bring grant funds for low-cost engineering fixes and extra law enforcement patrols.

The launch will begin with the unveiling of road signs that will be installed along the corridor to remind drivers that it is a safety emphasis roadway. Following the unveiling, patrol cars and motorcycles from Yakima Police Department, Union Gap Police Department, Yakima Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol will be released by Mayor Cawley and Mayor Wentz to start increased law enforcement safety patrols.

The 1st /Main and Nob Hill Traffic Safety Project is a two year project designed to make these roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists and to reduce traffic crashes using low cost solutions through engineering, education and enforcement efforts. For the past year, local and state agencies have been working with community members and businesses to identify issues and develop data driven solutions for improving safety along 1st /Main and Nob Hill Boulevard, following a proven strategy employed by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission at many locations across the state. The primary goal of the project is to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on these roadways.

Motorists and pedestrians will see:

• Increased police and liquor enforcement patrols
• Upgraded traffic signals for drivers and pedestrians
• Improved nighttime visibility
• Improved sidewalks
• Increased driver and pedestrian awareness of safety issues; and
• Reinforcement of safe behaviors for drivers and pedestrians

ANACORTES, WA — Longtime traffic safety activist, Nancy Mathews, lost her battle with cancer on March 9, 2013 after being diagnosed in December. Nancy died in her home in Anacortes and was surrounded by family.

Nancy was born January 6, 1943. She lived in Anacortes until attending the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. She moved to Renton and worked in city government as a councilwoman and was the driving force behind the expansion of Coulon Park.

Nancy later worked at the Kent Police Department and was instrumental in the establishment of traffic safety task forces in Washington State and their success. In 1983, Nancy was appointed as Coordinator of the Kent Drinking/Driver Task Force, which was one of the first traffic safety task forces in the State of Washington.

When she retired in 2006, she received a Superstars of Traffic Safety for lifetime achievement award, as the Kent Drinking Driver Task Force had been in existence for 23 years and the city had no alcohol-involved teen fatalities in 10 years.

Nancy’s involvement in traffic safety enabled the continued existence of the Target Zero Task Forces and saved many lives.

At the family’s request, contributions in Nancy’s honor can be made to the Kent Police Department Youth Board at the Kent Police Department, 220 4th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032.

For more information on the Kent Police Department Youth Board, visit

http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/content.aspx?id=1350