Latest news with #SaraHallstead
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Extra Patrols Deployed as Part of 100 Safe Days of Summer Campaign
King County agencies urge residents to help prevent dangerous driving and keep roads safe SEATTLE, June 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To keep roads safe this summer, the King County Target Zero Coalition is deploying High Visibility Enforcement patrols from June 6 through Labor Day Weekend. This campaign is part of Washington's "100 Safe Days of Summer" program, which is working to keep roadways safe during what is typically the most dangerous time of the year. These patrols are focusing on recent data that suggests deaths related to speeding are on the rise. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), Washington's roads had 253 fatal crashes between June and September, making summer the deadliest four-month period of the year. Across the state, 31% of fatal crashes involved a driver speeding, and fatal crashes involving speeding drivers have increased 52% since 2019. "This is an opportunity to remind everyone there are simple things they can do to keep our roads safe – and driving the speed limit is at the top of that list," said Sara Hallstead, Target Zero Manager, South King County. "We urge everyone to avoid following the flow of traffic and instead focus on driving the posted speed limit, which exists to decrease the risk and severity of crashes." In preparation for the dangerous driving period, the King County Target Zero Coalition is also encouraging motorists to avoid impaired driving. Traffic safety officials have seen progress on the state's roads (recent data shows that 78% of people in Washington don't drive after drinking) but substance use still remains one of the leading causes of deadly crashes in King County. Local authorities are urging everyone to take proactive steps to prevent impaired driving before it happens. "Every one of us has a role to play. Planning ahead can save lives and protect our communities," said Hallstead. "If you're going out, make a plan for a safe ride home. You can designate a sober driver ahead of time, use ride share services, take public transportation, or stay the night at your destination." Roadway safety is a top priority for the King County Target Zero Coalition, and officials encourage motorists to call 911 and report someone who is driving erratically. This includes speeding, braking suddenly or inappropriately, swerving in and out of their lane, or making wide turns. Extra patrols are partially funded by WTSC with the coordination of the King County Target Zero Coalition, which brings together representatives from law enforcement, public health, transportation, health and human services, and community organizations to engage in traffic safety campaigns throughout King County. Target Zero Managers across the state are conducting similar campaigns. For more information, please visit About the King County Target Zero Coalition: The King County Target Zero Coalition was formed by Public Health – Seattle & King County in 1998 through limited funding from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) and flexible state public health funding. It is currently supported through state-funded grants. Target Zero is a statewide program administered through the WTSC with the goal of reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities, among those walking, rolling, driving, and traveling on Washington roadways, to zero by 2030. For additional information, you can follow our social media pages on Facebook or Instagram. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Christiaan Boer, cboer@ 206-557-4309
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Extra Patrols Deployed as Part of 100 Safe Days of Summer Campaign
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To keep roads safe this summer, the King County Target Zero Coalition is deploying High Visibility Enforcement patrols from June 6 through Labor Day Weekend. This campaign is part of Washington's '100 Safe Days of Summer' program, which is working to keep roadways safe during what is typically the most dangerous time of the year. These patrols are focusing on recent data that suggests deaths related to speeding are on the rise. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), Washington's roads had 253 fatal crashes between June and September, making summer the deadliest four-month period of the year. Across the state, 31% of fatal crashes involved a driver speeding, and fatal crashes involving speeding drivers have increased 52% since 2019. 'This is an opportunity to remind everyone there are simple things they can do to keep our roads safe – and driving the speed limit is at the top of that list,' said Sara Hallstead, Target Zero Manager, South King County. 'We urge everyone to avoid following the flow of traffic and instead focus on driving the posted speed limit, which exists to decrease the risk and severity of crashes.' In preparation for the dangerous driving period, the King County Target Zero Coalition is also encouraging motorists to avoid impaired driving. Traffic safety officials have seen progress on the state's roads (recent data shows that 78% of people in Washington don't drive after drinking) but substance use still remains one of the leading causes of deadly crashes in King County. Local authorities are urging everyone to take proactive steps to prevent impaired driving before it happens. 'Every one of us has a role to play. Planning ahead can save lives and protect our communities,' said Hallstead. 'If you're going out, make a plan for a safe ride home. You can designate a sober driver ahead of time, use ride share services, take public transportation, or stay the night at your destination.' Roadway safety is a top priority for the King County Target Zero Coalition, and officials encourage motorists to call 911 and report someone who is driving erratically. This includes speeding, braking suddenly or inappropriately, swerving in and out of their lane, or making wide turns. Extra patrols are partially funded by WTSC with the coordination of the King County Target Zero Coalition, which brings together representatives from law enforcement, public health, transportation, health and human services, and community organizations to engage in traffic safety campaigns throughout King County. Target Zero Managers across the state are conducting similar campaigns. For more information, please visit The King County Target Zero Coalition was formed by Public Health – Seattle & King County in 1998 through limited funding from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) and flexible state public health funding. It is currently supported through state-funded grants. Target Zero is a statewide program administered through the WTSC with the goal of reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities, among those walking, rolling, driving, and traveling on Washington roadways, to zero by 2030. For additional information, you can follow our social media pages on Facebook or Instagram.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
King County Launches Traffic Campaign Focused on Increasing Corridor Safety
New program will focus on dangerous driving behaviors highlighted in latest study SEATTLE, March 10, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The King County Target Zero Coalition has introduced a new traffic safety project seeking to reduce injuries and deaths along a 11-mile corridor that has seen a number of recent crashes caused by speed and impairment. The corridor runs along 140th Avenue SE/132nd Avenue SE through Renton, Kent, Auburn, and unincorporated King County, beginning at the intersection with SR 169 (north point), passing SR 516 (mid-point) and ending just before SR 18 interchange. This stretch of road has been identified as a potential area for safety improvements in the latest study by Michelin Mobility Intelligence and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). "This program was developed in response to widespread public engagement following a number of tragic, fatal, high-speed crashes along this corridor," said Sara Hallstead, Target Zero Manager, South King County. "By working with our partners and community members and using data from our new study, we were able to pinpoint specific driving behaviors that are leading to crashes and address them using a Safe System approach." The project uses a combination of best practice recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Countermeasures That Work" and successes with previous corridor projects in Washington such as Lake City Way. To develop this campaign, King County Target Zero managers worked with jurisdictional partners from Renton, Kent, Auburn, and unincorporated King County, as well as community members who have been impacted by crashes along this corridor. These community members include Michael and Shellie Coury, whose son Gabriel was killed along this corridor in July of 2023 by an impaired driver. "Despite our personal tragedy with the loss of our son Gabriel, we are honored to partner with our community leaders and law enforcement to help make our streets safer," said Michael Coury. "It brings our family a small sense of peace as we continue to honor Gabriel by making ourselves a part of these sorts of initiatives and improvements. No person or family should ever have to endure the type of loss we, and many others, have had to experience due to completely and totally avoidable circumstances." In order to reach a vast array of community members, traffic safety officials are utilizing a number of new initiatives, including delivering the Teen Target Zero and Teens in the Driver Seat training programs to high schools located along the corridor; implementing the Safest Ride program to elementary schools, which focuses on young children riding in the back seat; conducting high visibility speed enforcement patrols; and purchasing signage and educational materials to educate drivers on the dangers of speed and the importance of traffic safety. WTSC will also assist in gathering driver telematics data to help better understand the driving issues along this roadway and highlight areas where the worst driving behaviors occur to better target intervention locations. The King County Target Zero Coalition is hosting community engagement events so residents can learn more and provide feedback about the work being done along the corridor. The first of these events is scheduled for March 27. For more information, please visit About the King County Target Zero Coalition: The King County Target Zero Coalition was formed by Public Health – Seattle & King County in 1998 through limited funding from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) and flexible state public health funding. It is currently supported through state-funded grants. Target Zero is a statewide program administered through the WTSC with the goal of reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities, among those walking, rolling, driving, and traveling on Washington roadways, to zero by 2030. For additional information, you can follow our social media pages on Facebook or Instagram. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Christiaan Boer, cboer@ 206-557-4309
