‘DUI continues to be a huge problem,’ but Whatcom holiday program tries to change it
Yes, it really can be that dangerous out there on Washington state roadways.
Results of a study released this week by usdrugtestcenters.com found that the Evergreen State is among the 10 worst states for DUIs in 2018, checking in at No. 8. The study, which used data from the FBI on DUI arrests, found Washington averaged 430.2 impaired driving arrests per 100,000 people last year — nearly a third more than the national average of 330, the study said.
Washington also has seen the second-highest rise in the number of DUIs, according to the study, with a 27.9% increase between 2009 and 2018.
The Bellingham Police Department continues to average nearly an impaired driving arrest per day this year.
“DUI continues to be a problem — it’s always been about half our fatalities on the road, even though DUI drivers are just a tiny portion of the driving population,” Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl told The Bellingham Herald. “It’s important we try as many different ways to get our message out to the community.”
In an effort to reduce the number of DUIs this holiday season and educate patrons that there are options to driving home impaired, the safety commission is partnering with ridesharing company Lyft and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to offer discount coupons for patrons to utilize on rides home.
Though Dahl said the program is statewide, discount codes on the back of the coupons distributed locally are specific for Whatcom County and can only be used once per account. The program will last into mid February.
“We were hoping to get the word out to make a plan, be a friend and don’t drive home impaired,” Dahl said. “By partnering with the Liquor and Cannabis Board and local establishments that are serving alcohol, we’re trying any pathway we can get to get that message to the community.”
Educating for holiday safety
The Liquor and Cannabis Board was tasked with spreading the word about the program and about the importance of planning ahead or finding other options to get home safe.
“Basically our role in this is to educate,” Liquor and Cannabis Board officer Robert Brulotte told The Bellingham Herald. “We want to let our license holders know about the program, so they can spread the word to their patrons, and we want to make sure the patrons know the importance of the decisions they make when they’re out.”
The Bellingham Herald was invited to tag along while Brulotte and fellow officer Lori Sigman spread the word about the program and cards with the discount Lyft code to downtown Bellingham bars, cannabis dispensaries and their patrons earlier this month.
During the ride-along, Brulotte and Sigman made four pre-arranged stops to speak with the license holders at The Royal Night Club, Satori Bellingham recreational cannabis dispensary, Thousand Acre Cider House and The Firefly Lounge. The officers also made an unscheduled stop at Aslan Brewery Company to let staff and patrons know about the program.
All of the employees Brulotte and Sigman spoke to said they supported the program. Most patrons also seemed happy to get a discount coupon, though many said they had already made plans for a safe ride home.
“There is a different mindset now than there was 25 years,” The Royal owner Brian Tines said in a discussion with Brulotte. “Today, it’s all about getting people all the way home. We want people to have fun and a good time while they’re here, but it’s even more important for them to get home safe.”
Said Firefly owner Erin Gill, “People seem to be taking their responsibility a lot more seriously now, and that’s good to see.”
The Royal, like Thousand Acre Cider House and The Firefly already had ridesharing programs in place to help intoxicated patrons get home safely, but the owners said they were excited to add another tool during the holiday season with the Lyft coupons.
“It’s awesome that they’re doing this. We’re happy to bring awareness to these programs,” Thousand Acre Cider House co-owner Jenny Hagemann told The Herald. “I came up from Seattle, and to me, ridesharing is so underutilized here, but it’s a great way to get home.”
A responsibility to enjoy
The license holders visited by the Liquor and Cannabis Board officers all said education has become a big part of their businesses. In addition to partnering with area rideshare and taxi companies, The Royal and The Firefly sell single-use breathalyzer tests, such as Think Twice, for patrons to see if their blood alcohol content is above the legal limit.
Though Satori’s customers don’t use the cannabis products on site, license holder Quinn Sharpe said education is a big part of what employees at the retail dispensary do. It’s no longer just about checking IDs to make sure customers are of age.
“We say we’re part sales associate and part life coach,” Sharpe said. “We try to listen and learn about their experience and what they’re looking for, and then we try to educate them. Our mantra is to start low and go slow — educate before you medicate. ... Education is the only responsible thing retailers like us can do.”
Even before the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Liquor and Cannabis Board and Lyft teamed up for the holiday program, Dahl said he’s been impressed with the responsibility a number of establishments in Bellingham already were showing.
“I’ve attended meetings of the Bellingham Nightlife Association, and I’m really impressed with the local establishments,” Dahl told The Herald. “I believe those that come to the meetings have a genuine concern for the citizens of Bellingham. It’s not just ‘Come here and party.’ They want to be good contributing businesses in the community, and they realize their roles in keeping the streets safe.”
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 12:15 PM.
