Washington Traffic Safety Commission sources

Law enforcement in Clallam County and across Washington will conduct extra DUI patrols in Clallam County from Nov. 24-Jan. 2.

Public education combined with strict enforcement is a proven method for reducing DUI crashes and fatalities.

However, law enforcement officers can’t do it alone. Everyone needs to do their part, just as Carol and Frank Blair are. The Blairs have made it their mission to reduce the carnage caused by drunken drivers.

On Feb. 26, 2010, their daughter Sheena was killed when an SUV moved into her lane and hit her head-on. The driver of the SUV had a blood alcohol level of almost three times the legal limit.

“Don’t let our story become your story,” Frank Blair said. “Call a cab. Call a friend. Plan ahead. No matter who you are, someone loves you.”

In 2010, Sheena Blair was one of 188 people in Washington who died as a result of a crash involving a drinking driver.

Between 2006-2010, the five-year total was 1,191. This is why officers from the Port Angeles and Sequim police departments, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol will commit extra patrol hours to make the roadways safer for everyone.

These efforts are part of Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by the year 2030.

Last year during the same time period, officers in Clallam County on routine and extra patrols arrested 26 people for DUI.

The Clallam County DUI Traffic Safety Task Force organizes and supports this enforcement effort. They urge everyone to join the team to prevent drunken driving.

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