Kent Police will join other law enforcement agencies in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties with extra DUI patrols from May 2-5 because of Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
City and county police departments and the Washington State Patrol will begin intercepting fiesta-goers who get behind the wheel after too many margaritas or beers, according to a Kent Police media release.
Although Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico, except in Puebla where the Battle of Puebla was fought in 1862, it has become an unofficial holiday in the United States revolving around the promotion and advertising of alcohol. Special pricing on food and drinks in restaurants and retail stores draw many to restaurants, bars, and homes.
Law enforcement officials anticipate a very busy and dangerous time on the roads on Friday and Saturday of this unofficial holiday weekend with May 5 falling on a Monday.
Law enforcement officers along with Washington State Liquor Control Board agents will visit bars and restaurants throughout the three counties to check for alcohol law compliance and to remind patrons and servers of their role in keeping our roadways safe.
Officers will make follow-up visits to any establishments that served drivers arrested for DUI. Washington State Patrol’s Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU) will be set up in Pierce County to enable officers to transfer the custody of their arrestees to the unit’s troopers so they can quickly get back on the road. The MIDU will have a phlebotomist on board to expedite blood draws for possible drugged drivers.
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