Impaired driving is being tackled head-on with a groundbreaking new bill, House Bill 1426, which aims to enhance law enforcement's ability to address this pressing public safety issue. During a recent House Civil Rights & Judiciary meeting, a passionate discussion highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding impaired driving, particularly in Thurston County, where nearly half of fatal crashes are linked to this problem.

Sergeant Selena Copa, an Army veteran, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that families often report individuals with serious drinking and driving issues. However, law enforcement faces significant challenges in intervening without observable driving patterns. House Bill 1426 proposes a solution by allowing officers to run vehicle plates and match them with court-ordered impaired driving alerts, enabling them to stop vehicles based on probable cause.

Copa drew a parallel between impaired driving and intimate partner violence, arguing that both should be treated with equal seriousness due to their devastating impacts on communities. She described impaired driving as a public emergency that claims lives and creates a destructive cycle.

While the bill is a significant step forward, Copa expressed concern that it does not currently address drugged driving, which is an emerging issue that also needs attention. The call to action is clear: passing House Bill 1426 could be a pivotal move in the fight against impaired driving, making it a priority for lawmakers and the public alike.