KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - X-52 police patrols throughout King County will scour the roadways this weekend looking for impaired, speeding and other dangerous drivers in order to reduce traffic injuries and deaths. X-52, or “Extra Patrols Every Week,” will add 2,400 hours of extra patrols to the roads in King County this year. X-52 is part of a statewide strategy called “Target Zero” that aims for zero traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

“Imagine driving our streets and highways and never worrying about drunk drivers or reckless drivers causing an injury crash again,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “Target Zero provides the focus and X-52 the method to bring us closer to a society without serious traffic crashes.”

For the five-year period 2002 – 2006, traffic crashes in King County killed 595 people and left 4,169 people with disabling injuries. This adds up to about three people each day killed or disabled in a traffic crash. Thirty-nine percent (39%) or 234 of these deaths were caused by impaired drivers.

“Impaired drivers threaten everyone who drives, walks or rides a bicycle,” said Dr. David Fleming Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “Yet this significant menace to health and well being must be prevented by separating impaired drivers from their vehicles. X-52 is one way to accomplish this separation.”

Public Health urges people to drive only when sober. Arrange for sober rides before going out if you plan to drink. This includes using a cab to get to the establishment and back, or using a completely sober designated driver. In Seattle, a resource for sober rides is Last Call (www.lastcallseattle.org).

Reporters and camera crews who wish to ride along with a law enforcement officer may make arrangements by calling 206-205-3331 and 206-205-5442.

Research shows that saturation patrols such as X-52, in conjunction with publicity, can reduce alcohol-involved crashes. In the past, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission provided funding for extra enforcement and education in short bursts, usually centered on holidays. The effectiveness of this strategy worked well in the early years, but has diminished in recent years.

“Responding to crash scenes involving death, severe injuries and destruction is one of the most difficult assignments our officers have to work. Especially when the accidents are preventable, the drunk or drug impaired driver makes the decision to drive when there were other safe alternatives,” said Captain Annette Louie of the SeaTac Police Department. “The SeaTac Police Department and other King County law enforcement agencies are committed to removing impaired drivers from our roadways whether they’re drinking or using drugs.”

Public Health - Seattle & King County, the City of Kent and the King County Traffic Safety Coalition are organizing X-52 patrols in King County. Funding comes from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Public Health- Seattle & King County chairs and staffs the King County Traffic Safety Coalition. Members include representatives from a variety of King County law enforcement agencies, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, alcohol and drug prevention organizations, DUI victims’ groups, traffic engineers, non-profit organizations, and others. The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission provides funding for the Coalition and other King County traffic safety activities.

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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