Chelan, Kittitas, Grant and Okanogan County participating in HiVE April 1 – 5
information released
Washington State Patrol (WSP) District 6 is partnering with allied agencies in Chelan, Kittitas, Grant, and Okanogan counties to conduct High Visibility Enforcement (HiVE) patrols, with the goal of reducing serious injury and fatality collisions.
There are eight HiVE patrols scheduled so far, focusing on areas within Moses Lake, Ellensburg, Wenatchee and Okanogan.
The first HiVE patrol from April 1 to April 5 will focus on distracted driving in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Nearly 10 percent of collisions investigated by WSP District 6 troopers last year involved a distracted driver, more than the nearly 7 percent of collisions that involved impaired driving.
HiVE patrols utilize agency data to ensure resources are placed in the right locations at the right time to make the most impact.
“Driving a motor vehicle is a huge responsibility. When you get behind the wheel, driving should be your only job,” said District 6 Captain Daniel Richmond. “Nothing is more important than human life.”
In addition to the misuse of electronic devices, distracted driving can extend beyond the use of a cell phone. Tasks such as applying make-up, shaving, eating, talking to passengers, changing radio stations, or using the GPS system can all be associated to distracted driving if it interferes with a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle (RCW 46.61.673 – Dangerously distracted driving).
Updates on the progress throughout the HiVE patrol will be provided on WSP District 6 social media platforms, including Instagram (wastatepatrol_06) and X (@wspd6pio).
