The News Tribune reports that 133 fatal crashes occurred in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties since July 1, 2010, the beginning of the federally funded "Target Zero" campaign against driving while intoxicated. In addition, about 3,400 individuals suspected of drunk driving have been arrested by Washington State Patrol troopers and local police officers since that time.

The number of fatal crashes shows a significant improvement compared to numbers from the last five years, which show an average of 203 fatal DUI crashes per year.

Under the Target Zero campaign, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted $6 million to fund teams who focus on keeping drunken drivers off the road. Pierce, King and Snohomish counties are participating in the program. Each Target Zero team has six full-time State Patrol troopers and a sergeant, while local officers assist in the effort as they are able.

The teams, according to sources, focus on monitoring state highways, county roads and city streets in the night hours. Special focus is placed on areas where drunken driving fatalities have been a problem.

The improved numbers have been celebrated by law enforcement officers, who hope the program will continue to see success through the next year. Still, according to the director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, there is much improvement to be made. Statewide, efforts by law enforcement have been able to reduce the number of accident-related fatalities by over 200 in the last five years. Last year, the Traffic Safety Commission reported 448 traffic-related deaths.

Source: The News Tribune, "State Patrol: DUI campaign led to fewer fatal crashes," Stacey Mulick, 30 June 2011.