The Target Zero Teams in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties have joined Clear Channel Outdoor to provide some additional warning for those who might choose to drive while impaired.
Six billboards outlining the mission of the Target Zero Teams are being erected around the tri-county area in places where data shows that impaired drivers are killing the most people.
The largest of the billboards recently was unveiled at Fourth Avenue South and South Walker Street in Seattle. They will be in place for a total of 16 weeks.
“We’ve always conducted our Target Zero patrols where the most tragedies were occurring, and we’re adding education in some of those same places,” said State Patrol Capt. Steve Burns. “Our goal is to reduce fatalities and we’ll use both education and enforcement to get there.”
The core of the area’s Target Zero Teams are 21 members of WSP, augmented by city officers and sheriff’s deputies as often as availability and funding permit. The patrols cross all jurisdictions, on city streets, county roads well as state and interstate highways.
Although the teams’ daily focus is removing impaired drivers from the road, their success will be measured by a reduction in fatalities in the defined areas.
“The signs are fair warning that if you do drink and drive, we’re probably not far away,” said Lt. Clay Monson of the Seattle Police Department. “The signs may serve as a warning, but officers, deputies and troopers don’t give warnings for DUI. If we believe you’re impaired, we will make an arrest.”
The Target Zero Teams plan their patrols based on objective data about highway deaths caused by impaired driving. Zones were defined throughout the tri-county area, and patrols are focused in those areas.
Clear Channel Outdoor also is a partner in the project.
“At every turn possible, Clear Channel Outdoor is committed to help spread important public safety messages like the State of Washington’s Target Zero effort. Through this partnership, drivers and commuters will see this message over 7.5 million times on Clear Channel signs during the course of the campaign. This type of meaningful reach to the travelling public will drive home the importance of traffic safety,” said Olivia Lippens, President, Clear Channel Outdoor Washington
Target Zero is Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The goal of Target Zero is to eliminate traffic-related deaths by the year 2030. Partner agencies plan to accomplish that goal by combining enforcement, engineering, education and emergency medical services. More information on Target Zero can be found at www.targetzero.com.
The Target Zero Teams were launched July 1, 2010, as part of a 20-month federally-funded demonstration project. More information on the Target Zero Teams can be found at www.wsp.wa.gov/targetzero.
