Tacoma Police have launched an intensified crackdown on impaired driving, deploying additional officers across the city seven days a week to target drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The enforcement effort is funded by a $215,000 High-Visibility Saturation Patrols grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Officers will concentrate patrols during what authorities describe as high-risk timeframes, specifically evenings, weekends, and late-night hours.
Beyond alcohol, the initiative targets drug-impaired driving, including cannabis and what police refer to as poly-drug use, the combination of multiple substances. The expanded focus reflects a broader shift in DUI enforcement as drug-impaired driving has become an increasing concern alongside alcohol-related offences.
The crackdown comes after Tacoma recorded 573 DUI offences last year. City officials hope the heightened patrols will bring that number down in 2025 and make Tacoma safer for residents and motorists alike.
