Don’t let your celebration ruin the New Year

Information compiled 

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Homeland Security Division and Washington State Ferries reminds drivers and passengers to celebrate safely this New Years. Whether your travels take you on a state highway or a state ferry, it’s equally important to drive sober, and to prevent dangerous situations fueled by impaired driving.

Washington State is working to achieve the Target Zero goal. This goal is to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by the year 2030. The WSP continues to strive to achieve this through educating drivers where possible and enforcement when necessary. Driving under the influence is a crime that is one-hundred percent preventable and you can help eliminate. If you suspect a driver may be impaired, please call 911 or report it so we can work to ensure all drivers and passengers throughout the region are able to enjoy a safe 2019.

On a local level:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a problem throughout the State of Washington. In North Central Washington, there has been a significant rise in DUI arrests over the past year. DUI Arrests for Chelan County alone is up by over 47% in 2018 over 2017. WSP and the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office urges revelers to designate a driver or call a cab if your celebration exceeds your ability to drive.