Welcome to Skagit County

July 14th, 2010

Slow Down or Pay Up

SKAGIT COUNTY - Police Officers from Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley will join Deputies from the Skagit County Sheriff's Office this Saturday for a law enforcement effort targeting speeding drivers.

Between 2004 and 2008, 1,166 people died in crashes that involved speeding on Washington State roadways. During this same time-period, 30 people died in speed-related crashes on Skagit County roads.

Speeding is the major cause of motor vehicle crashes and is a contributing factor in approximately 40% of roadway deaths in Washington State. More than half of these deaths occur on rural roads like those found throughout Skagit County.

This traffic safety emphasis is part of the statewide "Slow Down or Pay Up" campaign, which is a key component of the Target Zero Strategic Highway Safety Plan - a vision of zero deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes by the year 2030. The plan consists of an integrated system involving law enforcement, education, engineering, and emergency medical services.

Saturday's speed emphasis patrol will take place in an area east of Burlington and Mount Vernon.

For more information, contact Don McKeehen at (360) 419-3463