The Washington State Patrol District One and District Two, will target dangerous drivers with a special St. Patrick’s Day weekend safety emphasis beginning today, Friday through St. Patrick’s Day on Monday.

The two Districts will combine their troopers and focus their patrols on I-5 from State Route 518 in Tukwila to State Route 512 in Lakewood.

A WSP analytical study showed that in the last five years there is an average of 120 calls to 911 reporting poor driving and about 25 collisions during the four days surrounding St. Patrick’s Day.

The WSP hopes to reduce these numbers through extra patrols that are specifically assigned to this problem area.

The WSP will utilize other resources such as the Target Zero Team (TZT), Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU), Motorcycle Units as well as our Aggressive Driver Apprehension Team (ADAT), Aviation Unit and Serious Highway Crime Apprehension Team (SHCAT) to assist in catching and/or processing dangerous drivers.

The MIDU will be located at the NB I-5 rest area in Federal Way on Friday and Saturday evening.

This weekend’s safety emphasis is being supported in part by State Farm Insurance promoting safety and education.