Troopers step up patrols

RITZVILLE – The Washington State Patrol has stepped up its enforcement efforts as Washington State University students return to college in Pullman.

The 10-day enforcement effort ends Aug. 20, the patrol said.

District No. 4 troopers in Whitman and Adams counties, and District No. 6 troopers in Grant and Kittitas counties, will be focusing on speeding, distracted/impaired driving and other collision-causing violations during the emphasis.

The emphasis will target U.S. Highways 395 and 195, Interstate 90 – including as far west as Snoqualmie Pass – and state Highways 26 and 27, officials said.

According to the patrol, speeding is a major cause of collisions across the state.

“Drivers should pay close attention to all speed limit changes as they travel across the state,” a press release from the state patrol said. “Troopers will have zero tolerance for drivers found to be impaired while behind the wheel.”

Troopers are also advising driver to put their cell phones and other distractions away while driving.

Our primary mission is to ensure that everyone arrives back to school safely and without incident,” the patrol said.