Bellevue police have had enough of traffic fatalities

According to the Bellevue Police Department (BPD), traffic fatalities in Washington are at a 33-year high. Officer Seth Tyler of the BPD said the numbers are disturbing and should worry everyone.

He said this is the third year in a row that the city is participating in the 100 Safe Days of Summer, coordinated with the King County Traffic Safety Coalition’s Target Zero.

“The Traffic Safety Coalition, also known as the King County Target Zero Task Force, works with traffic safety and community partners to develop equitable traffic safety programs and plans to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities in King County,” King County’s website states.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is currently implementing the “Vision Zero” program, which aims to reduce the number of traffic fatalities by 2030.

“Last year I worked in Bellevue. I wrote over 500 tickets for distracted driving. That’s a huge number. And that’s way too many. People are still talking on their cell phones, but they’re texting. They’re using apps. They’re video chatting. And the one thing they’re not doing is paying attention to the road. And that’s contributing to our traffic accidents and traffic fatalities,” Tyler said.

The BPD explained that the focus is on accident-causing violations such as speeding and using the phone.

“I work on a motorcycle, so it’s easy for me to see if someone is holding their phone in the car. Usually people just stare at their crotch when they’re driving, so that’s a good indication that maybe something is wrong with their phone,” Tyler said.

More from Micki Gamez: Bellevue PD teaches women self-defense

And so I can just look through the window and see if they’re trying to text on the road. They’re on the phone. So it’s not hard for us to spot those violations. It’s a traffic violation. So that affects your insurance. So another reason to put the phone down and focus on the road,” he continued.

Tyler talked about being on the scene of a fatal accident in Bellevue and how devastating it was.

“I had to tell families that their loved one was not coming home that night. And that’s the kind of call I never want to hear again,” he said.

According to Tyler, if you are charged with drunk driving, the officer in Bellevue will arrest you.

“There will be a trial. In Washington, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail for the first offense,” he said.

Tyler told us the fines could be up to $10,000.

“And before you can drive, you have to equip your car with an immobilizer. That is an additional expense that you have to pay. There is also a monthly fee for the immobilizer,” he said.

But legal fees can be as much as $10,000. And I say to anybody who says, ‘You know what, I just had a couple of beers.’ I ask, ‘Is it worth the $10,000?’ Because that’s how much it could cost, and our prosecutors support that effort because if you’re charged with drunk driving, you can expect to show up in court,” he continued.

Drew Anderson of the BPD said the department has already recorded 94 drunk driving cases in the city from January to June. He added that the city has seen a 15% increase in drunk driving cases in the last year.

“So there needs to be consistent action, not just because of the deaths and the reckless driving … across the state, it’s at a 33-year high and we want to do our part to really curb that,” he said.

Numbers from AAA: Washington is one of the worst states for distracted driving

From Friday to Saturday night, a mobile unit for drunk drivers is in operation in the city.

“The preventative measure is that we ask residents if they have been drinking and even if they are questioning their ability to drive, they should use a carpool program or ask a family member or friend for help. It is not worth getting behind the wheel,” Anderson said.

If a police officer in Bellevue stops you for driving under the influence, you will be arrested for driving under the influence, Anderson said. The fine is equal to $10,000 in attorney fees and will be placed on your record.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Thursday, June 6, 2024. It has since been updated and republished.

You can read more stories by Micki Gamez here. Follow Micki on X, formerly known as Twitteror send her an email here.

Follow @https://twitter.com/onairmichelle