Law enforcement urges safe, sober driving for Cinco de Mayo weekend

As Cinco de Mayo approaches, state officials in Washington emphasize the critical need for road safety. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) will ramp up patrols this weekend to combat impaired driving and speeding. Historical data reveals that 207 fatalities occurred on Washington roads during the Cinco de Mayo period from 2019 to 2023, with more than half linked to impaired drivers. WSP Chief John Batiste urged citizens to celebrate responsibly, warning that driving under the influence endangers lives. Mark McKechnie, WTSC External Relations Director, encouraged the public to plan ahead by designating sober drivers or utilizing rideshare services.

Safety officials also noted that a blood alcohol concentration of 0. 05 percent doubles a driver's crash risk. Washington law sets legal impairment at a BAC of 0. 08 percent, but officials stress that any alcohol can impair driving ability. Residents are urged to make safe transportation plans and to encourage others to do the same.