KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County and the King County Traffic Safety Coalition are alerting party goers that most communities in King County will have extra law enforcement patrols out searching for intoxicated drivers on Cinco de Mayo.
"For people of Mexican heritage Cinco de Mayo honors a noble day in Mexican history. Please remember the history of Cinco de Mayo and celebrate respectfully," said King County Executive Ron Sims. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the May 5, 1862 "Batalla de Puebla, and it is regarded as a glorious moment in Mexican history.
Today in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a cultural celebration for Mexican-Americans observed with parades, music, folklore, dances and food. More recently, other Americans have also started to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
In Washington State, Cinco de Mayo is one of the most dangerous driving days of the year. From 1993 to 2001, police in Washington made 1,079 alcohol-involved, traffic-related arrests on Cinco de Mayo. For the same period, King County officers and troopers arrested 269 motorists for these types of offenses on Cinco de Mayo.
"Alcohol and drug-related crashes are completely avoidable," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Ride with a sober driver or use buses and taxis to get around if you drink when celebrating Cinco de Mayo."
"After reviewing data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, we found that Cinco de Mayo had drinking driver crashes and arrests comparable to Saint Patrick's Day," said Tony Gomez, chair of the King County Traffic Safety Coalition and Injury Prevention Manager for Public Health - Seattle & King County.
In 2003, during traffic safety emphasis patrols, law enforcement officers from King County communities reported making 3,060 contacts with dangerous drivers and reported arresting 1,096 impaired drivers.
"We are serious about taking impaired drivers off the roads," said King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. "So if you drink and drive on Cinco de Mayo, know that law enforcement will find and arrest you."
Reporters and camera crews wishing to shadow a Washington State Liquor Control Board agent may make arrangements by calling 206-205-3331.
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This year's Cinco de Mayo traffic safety patrols will include officers from Auburn, Federal Way, Shoreline, Tukwila, Burien, Renton, Woodinville, Maple Valley, Kirkland, Bellevue, Issaquah, Medina, Snoqualmie, Redmond, Seattle, Mercer Island, and the Washington State Patrol.
In addition, leaders from the Mexican, Mexican-American, and Latino communities encourage all King Counties residents to enjoy local Cinco de Mayo festivities but to celebrate responsibly. Leaders from the following agencies and businesses expressed their support of this traffic safety effort:
| Azteca Restaurants |
Consejo Counseling and Referral |
| The Consul General de México |
SeaMar Community Health Center |
| El Centro de la Raza |
Ernest I. J. Aguilar, Sea Print Inc. |
King County Traffic Safety Coalition
The King County Traffic Safety Coalition is staffed by Public Health - Seattle & King County. Members include representatives from law enforcement agencies from across King County, the Eastside DUI Task Force, the WA Liquor Control Board, DUI victims groups, traffic engineers, non-profit organizations, and others. Funding for the Coalition comes from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.
