District 8 supports the Field Operations Bureau Strategic Plan and Goals. District 8 has set further goals for the District, they include the following.

Goal 1: Decrease injury collisions on state highways
Goal 2: Reduce fatality collisions on state highways
Goal 3: Increase occupant restraint use
Goal 4: Decrease the incidents of aggressive driving on all state highways

 
1. Decrease injury collisions on state highways.

In 2003, WSP statistics show DUI as the leading cause of fatality collisions investigated by the WSP, 21.1%.

Our District Action Plan is to utilize the Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS) problem solving model to increase awareness through media contacts and education programs. This includes utilizing Drug Recognition Experts (DRE’s) to assist in the detection of drug impaired drivers. The district will seek funding for programs that assist in attainment, such as underage drinking (RUDA), corridor projects, and “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed.” Each patrol area will conduct a minimum of one DUI emphasis patrol each month as well as participate in multi-jurisdictional emphasis patrols. The district will use DUI arrest data to determine areas in which to focus enforcement.

2. Reduce fatality collisions on state highways.

Speed has been identified as a leading cause of all collisions, including fatality and injury collisions, on state highways.

Our district has come up with an action plan to address speeding within the district. Troopers will target special events and holiday weekends with emphasis patrol enforcement. Troopers will be assigned to work specific problem areas. Troopers will partner with local agencies for multi-jurisdictional emphasis patrols to address speed-related collisions utilizing aircraft, laser and unmarked patrol cars. We will participate in Corridor Safety Projects, using education and enforcement, involving the community, local businesses, Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement agencies. We will utilize the speed radar trailer at strategic points around the patrol area. The district Public Information Officer will maintain media contacts to educate and increase awareness of speed problems, in a hope to gain voluntary compliance.

3. Increase occupant restraint use.

4. Decrease aggressive driver incidents on all state highways.

Aggressive drivers are a serious concern of the public and for the Washington State Patrol. Using unmarked patrol vehicles and in-car video cameras, troopers are able to apprehend aggressive drivers. Troopers work areas of congestion during peak traffic to locate and discourage drivers from displaying aggressive behavior. District 8 has three troopers assigned to the Aggressive Driver Apprehension Team (ADAT). These troopers' primary responsibility is to target aggressive drivers. Aggressive driver contacts increased 48% in 2003, compared to 2002. Troopers in District 8 cited nearly 4,000 aggressive drivers in 2003.

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