Updated on: 11/12/2019
As the residents of Washington State prepare for the festivities of Seafair next weekend, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be trying out some new tactics this weekend at the annual Water Follies Festival in Kennewick.
Troopers have run into some minor issues in years past at the festival, which typically brings out as many as 60,000 people over the three-day period. To prevent partygoers from driving under the influence, troopers have locked down Columbia Park during the festivities in years past. That, however, led to people catching rides along SR 240, which Lieutennant Mike Saunders says can be very dangerous.
In an effort to prevent the opening of the park from resulting in drunk driving incidents with fatalities or serious injuries, Saunders says his team will park the DUI processing center in Columbia Park for the weekend.
“It reminds everyone that we’re out there and they need to be responsible in their driving and behave themselves on the highway,” Saunders said. He added that there will also be more troopers on patrol this year than in the past.
Law enforcement personnel pulled over nearly one thousand drivers during the 2011 races, and 23 of them were arrested for DUI. There were 450 speeding tickets and 80 seat belt citations, but thankfully no fatal collisions.
DUI Accident Attorneys in Washington State
The drunk driving accident lawyers at Davis Law Group help impaired driving collision victims get financial compensation for their injuries and lost wages. We work closely with the criminal prosecutor to make sure that all avenues, both criminal and civil, are being pursued.
If you have been the victim of a car accident with a drunk driver, contact Davis Law Group at 206-727-4000.