PRIORITY AREA

Driving sober

Stay sharp. Stay safe.

Road leading upto a snow covered mountain

Data trends

  • DUI

    crashes have been increasing in Washington state since 2019

  • 78%

    of people in Washington make the responsible choice by never driving impaired.

  • 167

    people lost their lives on King County’s roadways, the highest ever recorded.

Drivers under the influence of two or more substances, or “polydrug,” is the most common type of impairment in King County.

The law

It’s illegal to drive or be in physical control (having the keys in the ignition of a parked car) of a motor vehicle while under the influence of:

Alcohol Impairment

Intoxicating liquor with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or greater.

Young Driver Zero Tolerance

Young drivers must have a BAC of 0.00% and 0 ng/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Cannabis (THC) Impairment

Cannabis or marijuana with a blood concentration of THC of 5.00 ng/ml.

Combined Substances

Any combination of alcohol, THC, or drugs, regardless of the concentration.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter medications if they create an intoxicating effect.

The penalty

Those arrested for DUI can expect fines of at least $10,000. They can also expect attorney’s fees, additional fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing, repairs, and more. If the DUI results in a collision, drivers could face serious life-altering consequences like: Charge of manslaughter for a fatality, License revocation, Ignition interlock devices, Job loss and other consequences

How you can help

  1. Plan ahead for a safe ride

    Designate a sober driver · Be prepared to call a rideshare or taxi · Use public transportation · Plan to stay over where you are · Leave your car at home or park it where you won’t need to move it

  2. If someone else is impaired

    Arrange for or offer a ride · Arrange for the person to stay where they are · Offer your couch for the night · Engage someone else to help

  3. If someone is driving erratically

    If you encounter someone swerving in and out of their lane or driving erratically, call 911. When speaking with dispatchers, they will want to know: Make and model of the car · License plate number · Route and direction being traveled · Description of the driver

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