Small Town News

MADD honors WSP

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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently honored the Washington State Patrol with the Outstanding Law Enforcement Agency Award for its work in 2008.

WSP troopers were responsible for arresting 20,240 impaired drivers or 45 percent of all impaired drivers arrested in Washington State in 2008. Additionally, the percentages of fatality and injury collisions related to alcohol fell from 10.4 percent in 2007 to 9.4 percent.

"Many of these stellar individuals and teams have helped further the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, and their contributions are amazing," said MADD National President Laura Dean-Mooney. "MADD's volunteers, staff and partners in the safety community are key to ensuring the roads are safer, lives are saved, and injuries prevented."

"I am very proud of our troopers for their outstanding work that resulted in this prestigious award," said Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste. "We will continue to work hard to make a difference every day by providing the best in public safety services."

Batiste also praised the efforts of county sheriffs and local police agencies to reduce DUI-related crashes.

"Our partners in the cities and counties have really stepped up to this challenge. They have recognized that impaired drivers represent a major threat to their citizens, and they are responding effectively," he said.

Despite the improvements noted by MADD, there remains plenty of opportunity to save lives. Approximately a third of all fatal collisions still involve impaired drivers.

The WSP joins with MADD in their continuing efforts to eliminate impaired driving. Reducing the percentage of fatality and injury collisions by one percent may not sound like much unless that one percent is you or someone you love.



Copyright 2009 The Dispatch, Eatonville, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Dispatch Eatonville, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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