Information from Seattle Police Department

by Public Affairs on December 3, 2025 11:30 am

Throughout the month of December, the Seattle Police Department Traffic Section will have officers on the streets watching for impaired drivers.

Every night this month officers will be across the city, watching busy streets and paying close attention to popular nightlife areas. The goal of this effort is to stop drivers before they cause injuries or fatalities.

For the first time since 2019 the department will be launching a DUI emphasis team. This team will work nightly, from 6 p.m. until 4 a.m., throughout the city.

“It is a top priority for the Seattle Police Department and the Traffic Section to identify and safely detain impaired drivers who put our communities at risk by operating motor vehicles on our roadways,” said Traffic Section Capt. Randy Ward. “Our hand-selected team for this year’s emphasis are all highly trained, experienced, and motived police officers with a passion for this work. They will sacrifice time with loved ones over the holiday season to focus on this critical effort and I would like to personally thank them for their dedicated service.”  

In addition to this focused SPD enforcement patrol, the department is also working with Washington State Patrol, Kent Police, and other agencies across King County on Dec. 19th as part of the “Night of 1000 Stars.”  “Night of 1000 Stars” is an annual police enforcement effort focused on traffic safety and getting impaired drivers off the road.  This initiative is part of the City of Seattle’s “Vision Zero” and Washington State Traffic Safety Commission’s “Target Zero” campaigns which aim to reduce traffic fatalities.

It is illegal to drive or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while affected by alcohol or drugs, or with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%.

“We hope our community makes safe driving choices this holiday season. Make a plan, use rideshare or a taxi, or use a designated driver,” said Sgt. Tom Heller. “Pro tip: the designated driver needs to be actually sober, not just the least intoxicated person in the car!