In anticipation of the holiday season, the Washington State Patrol is planning an increased presence of troopers in Southwest Washington to patrol for drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The squad will be deployed in Clark, Cowlitz and Lewis counties, according to a news release from the state patrol, and will be in place starting Nov. 21 and lasting until Jan. 3.
Six troopers will be stationed in Clark County and four will be shared between Cowlitz and Lewis counties.
“The troopers will focus on dangerous driving behaviors that cause serious injury and fatality collisions such as aggressive driving, speed, unrestrained occupants and impaired driving,” according to the news release.
In Washington, impaired driving is legally defined as a driver who is impaired by alcohol with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent and drugs including marijuana with a THC level of 5.00 ng.
“It only takes a few minutes to make a responsible decision that may prevent a tragedy that will result in life-lasting impacts,” according to the state patrol.
