'Pedestrian safety patrols' target bad drivers

SEATTLE - Drunk and distracted drivers are the targets as the Seattle Police Department traffic starts a new safety patrol program.

According to police, the SPD Traffic Section plans to target four Seattle neighborhoods in new safety emphasis patrols. Enforcement will focus on behaviors commonly associated with traffic collisions; specifically speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and following the rules of the road.

The SPD will primarily focus on North 45th Street, Rainier Avenue South, Aurora Avenue North and Lake City Way. These locations are targeted based on the numbers of pedestrian-related collisions in the area over the last year, police said.

Seattle’s long-term goal for our roads is to have zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. Currently, there is an average of 500 pedestrian-involved collisions each year, police said.