Police on the lookout for drunk drivers

Extra law enforcement officers will be out looking for drunk drivers Aug. 19 through Sept. 5 as the annual Drive Hammered, Get Nailed DUI campaign returns to King County. The Bellevue Police Department will be part of the effort.

Extra law enforcement officers will be out looking for drunk drivers Aug. 19 through Sept. 5 as the annual Drive Hammered, Get Nailed DUI campaign returns to King County. The Bellevue Police Department will be part of the effort.

This year marks the first time the patrols will be held under “Hailey’s Law,” a new law that requires all DUI arrestees’ cars to be towed and impounded for at least 12 hours. Only a registered or legal owner who was not in the car at the time of arrest is allowed to get the car out of impound before the mandatory 12 hours.

Statistically in Washington state, the highest number of traffic fataltities where alcohol and/or impaired driving is involved occur during summer.