As Washington prepares to celebrate and enter the holiday season, WTSC, together with Target Zero Region 6 Task Force, is calling on drivers to be sober

Clark County – Law enforcement agencies participating in the Region 6 Target Zero Task Force, are adding extra holiday season DUI patrols thanks to a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC).  

Participating local agencies include: 

• Battle Ground Police Department  
• Clark County Sheriff’s Office  
• Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency  
• Vancouver Police Department  
• Ridgefield Police Department 
• Washington State Patrol 

You can make a difference in our community this holiday season by committing to always plan ahead. In Washington, the goal is to have zero people in your household involved in a serious or fatal crash.  

Celebrate responsibly, and pledge to always have a plan, whether you are hosting, driving, or riding. 

• Before celebrating PLAN, a safe and 100% sober ride home 
• INTERVENE, when safe to do so, and prevent someone from getting behind the wheel if they have used alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs 
• Offer to be a SOBER-DESIGNATED DRIVER 
• Hosts, make sure to remind your guests to have SOBER RIDE home or offer a space for them to stay 
• If you see an impaired driver, call 911 
• Always wear your SEAT BELT, it is your best protection against impaired drivers 

As Washington prepares to celebrate and enter the holiday season, WTSC, together with Target Zero Region 6 Task Force, is calling on drivers to be sober and for everyone to intervene to prevent someone from driving impaired when safe to do so. 

“Everyone can be a hero when it comes to saving a life from someone driving drunk or high,” said Mark Medalen, program manager at WTSC. “That means making a plan that doesn’t put you behind the wheel if you are drinking or using cannabis. Most people in Washington will also step in to protect lives by preventing someone else from driving impaired.” 

Medalen said acceptable and effective interventions for impaired driving include calling 9-1-1 if you see someone on the road you suspect may be impaired. 

“Seeing someone you think is driving drunk or high – and at risk for hurting themselves or others – is the definition of emergency,” said Medalen. “If you encounter someone on the road who might be impaired, call 9-1-1 so law enforcement can step in and possibly prevent a crash. Your call could save someone’s life.” 

If you are driving and see a suspected impaired driver, call 9-1-1.  

If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse, there’s help: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 

Follow Target Zero on Twitter @TargetZero_6 and Instagram TargetZero_Region6