Tag: dui
By Caleb Hutton
For the next month or so, extra law officers will be patrolling the streets of Whatcom County for drunk drivers, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
The DUI emphasis patrols are planned for Nov. 21 to Jan. 1.
Here’s the press release:
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA — Lynn Ross spent more than $1,200 paying for the ignition interlock that he had to have installed on his Dodge truck as a result of a DUI conviction.
The device is about the size of a cell phone with a tube for breath samples. Like many in Whatcom County, Mr. Ross, a Spokane Valley resident, had to blow into it every time he started his truck every day for 14 months. The truck would only start if there was no alcohol in his system.
Despite the cost and the hassle—he had to switch to alcohol-free mouthwash and wait for a few minutes in the morning for the machine to warm up—Mr. Ross, a union carpenter, is thankful for the ignition interlock program. “It’s a good program,” he said recently, “It kept me from drinking and helped me get my license back.” Keeping the ability to legally drive, even during his suspension period, meant being able to keep his job since his work requires him to travel throughout the northwest region. “I wouldn’t have a job if I couldn’t drive.”
“It was a very positive experience for me,” he said, “but I was done drinking.” For someone who was still drinking, Mr. Ross thought the ignition interlock might be a more negative experience.
Ever since January 2012, ignition interlock drivers have to have a record of clean blows for the last four months of the restriction in order to get the device removed and be eligible for their regular driver’s license. “This ensures that drivers demonstrate the ability to separate their drinking from their driving,” explains Washington Traffic Safety Commission Director Darrin Grondel.
As the Washington Traffic Safety Commission announces the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday campaign, Director Grondel urges drivers to plan ahead. “Don’t let a DUI ruin your holidays. Before you leave home for a holiday party, think about how everyone can get home safely. Designate a sober driver, take a taxi, stay the night.”
As part of the campaign, extra officers will be canvassing roadways between November 21 and January 1, 2013 throughout Whatcom County searching for impaired drivers.
The Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and Western Washington University Police Departments, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol will participate in Washington State’s first-ever Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
The Whatcom County Traffic Safety Task Force organizes and supports this enforcement effort.
For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.
By Caleb Hutton
Via police scanner traffic:
A woman crashed a Chevy Blazer over an embankment and into a tree about 5:45 p.m. in the 800 block of East Lake Samish Road.
Sounded like the car — and possibly the tree — caught fire. Firefighters knocked down the flames within 10 minutes of the crash.
Witnesses reported the woman seemed intoxicated. She refused to get out of the car at first, but eventually seemed unhurt enough to get out and chase “her dog” around the area.
By Caleb Hutton
Forty-two alleged drunk drivers were arrested in the past few weeks in Whatcom County during a series of extra patrols by several local law enforcement agencies.
Here are the details, per the Washington Traffic Safety Coalition:
Whatcom County, WA – The results are in from the recent Drive Hammered, Get Nailed enforcement campaign conducted from August 17 through September 3.
In Whatcom County, 42 motorists were stopped and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), and statewide, law enforcement officers arrested 1,603 drivers for DUI. Last year in Whatcom County, during the same time period, officers on routine and extra patrols arrested 52 people for DUI.
In Whatcom County, Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and Western Washington University Police Departments, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol participated in the extra DUI patrols, with the support of the Whatcom County Traffic Safety Task Force. The extra patrols were funded by a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
These patrols are important because August is one of the deadliest months on Washington’s roadways.
For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.
By Caleb Hutton
Via scanner traffic:
12:40 p.m.: Six people passing beverages around (caller thinks it’s beer) in a northbound vehicle on Interstate 5.
2:13 p.m.: Drunk man being a nuisance at kids’ event put on by the city at the Fairhaven Village Green.
2:14 p.m.: “Just so you know,” officer says over radio, “you have most of the local bandits in the Everson bar.”
2:55 p.m.: Western Washington University Police looking for 11-year-old boy who didn’t meet up on campus as planned. Didn’t hear resolution.
4:02 p.m.: At least six calls about 1.5-foot-by-1.5-foot fire on I-5. “This was about the size of a cooking pot,” firefighter says.
5:05 p.m.: Couple walking in Whatcom Falls Park, near St. Clair Street, heard six shots fired. Boyfriend is in the military and said it sounded like a .22-caliber gun. Police canvassed the area and talked to “a lot” of people. A couple bikers were the only ones who said they’re heard some popping noises.
5:18 p.m.: Transient sleeping under a “blue blankie” near the Community Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest Street.
5:19 p.m.: Motorcycle fire on side of I-5 near Sunset Drive (milepost 255).
6 p.m.-ish: Diabetic 43-year-old man vomiting blood. Unexplained facial swelling, bleeding from the face. Taken to St. Joseph hospital by ambulance.
Also at 6 p.m.-ish: Man tells employee at Bellingham business, “Do you really want gunfire in here today?” Last seen running toward Peoples Bank. Not sure which Peoples Bank.
7:38 p.m.: “Female rolling around” on the roadside of Lakeway Drive, near I-5.
Plus a couple of drunk in public citations at Maritime Heritage Park. And a few fires, almost all of them extremely small, scattered around the county.
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