‘Drive Hammered, Get Nailed’ from now through Sept. 3

August is a deadly month on Washington's roadways, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. From 2006-10, on average, more impaired driving deaths occurred in August than any other month. That’s why, from now through Sept. 3, extra officers will be looking for DUI drivers during the annual "Drive Hammered, Get Nailed" campaign in Snohomish County.

August 18, 2012 11:05 pm

August is a deadly month on Washington’s roadways, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. From 2006-10, on average, more impaired driving deaths occurred in August than any other month. That’s why, from now through Sept. 3, extra officers will be looking for DUI drivers during the annual “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” campaign in Snohomish County.

What are the signs of an impaired driver? Drunk drivers can exhibit a variety of behaviors depending upon their impairment levels. For example, those who know they are impaired:

• Travel slower than the posted speed limit.

• Have their faces closer to the windshield.

• Respond more slowly to traffic signals, sudden stops and the tapping of brake lights.

• Travel side-to-side both within and outside of their lanes.

Those who don’t think they are impaired generally drive a little more aggressively and:

• Speed.

• Follow too closely.

• Change lanes abruptly, weaving in and out of traffic.

• Also travel side-to-side both within and outside of their lanes.

The combination of one or more of these behaviors may alert you that you are near a drunk driver, in which case you are urged to dial 911.

Although dialing 911 is encouraged mainly for emergency situations, the participating officers and organizers of the “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” campaign believe that potentially saving lives qualifies as an emergency situation.

During last year’s “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” campaign, officers on routine and extra patrols arrested 113 people for DUI in Snohomish County alone. For all of 2011 in Snohomish County, 4,108 people were charged with DUI, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Arlington, Marysville and Tulalip Tribal police departments will be joining those of Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace and Mukilteo, as well as the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol, in participating in the “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” campaign. The Bothell Police Department will also conduct patrols as part of the Snohomish County effort.

The Snohomish County DUI & Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force organizes and supports this enforcement effort.

For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.