The number of drivers arrested for impaired driving during the summer 2012 emphasis patrol by local law enforcement was less than half what it was last year.

From June 22 to July 8 local law enforcement conducted the "One Team, One Concept, No Borders" campaign with an emphasis on enforcing impaired driving laws. Officers arrested 20 people for driving under the influence. Last year 45 people were arrested for impaired driving during a similar emphasis period.

Statewide, numbers were up, with 1606 drivers arrested for impaired driving, compared with last year's 1328 during the same period.

Local law enforcement, including the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, Ferndale Police, Bellingham Police, Lynden Police, Western Washington University Police and the Washington State Patrol, had extra officers out looking for impaired drivers.

The campaign's goal was to enforce the message "Drive sober or get pulled over." Drivers are encouraged to have a designated non-drinking driver, plan ahead for a taxi to get home, or to plan on staying wherever they take participate in festivities.

Samantha Wohlfeil can be reached at samantha.wohlfeil@bellinghamherald.com or 360-756-2883.