4-18-2019
BELLEVUE, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol is preparing for extra patrols on “4/20.”
April 20th is the date and phrase connected to the celebration and consumption of cannabis and the State Patrol says the last time it fell on a Saturday, collisions increased significantly.
To prepare, the agency gave their Mobile Impaired Driving Unit a facelift and will roll it out on Friday at their Bellevue office, launching a statewide marijuana enforcement emphasis.
Trooper Rick Johnson says it gives law enforcement enhanced ability to evaluate impaired drivers, with a phlebotomist on hand to do blood draws if they believe the impairment is due to drugs.
Drug Recognition Experts from multiple agencies across the state will be working from 3 PM Saturday to 3 AM Sunday.