450-plus drivers stopped on Tacoma freeways in special patrol prompted by big rig crashes
Troopers stopped more than 450 vehicles during an aggressive driving emphasis patrol in response to semitrucks continually crashing on Tacoma freeways.
The Washington State Patrol targeted Interstate 5 from state Route 512 to the King-Pierce county line near Fife, as well as the state Route 16 interchange.
During a five-day span starting Feb. 25, troopers stopped 458 vehicles for 845 violations.
Of those vehicles, 242 were semitrucks and other commercial vehicles. The other 216 were cars.
Troopers issued 254 tickets, Trooper Johnna Batiste said.
Here’s the breakdown:
▪ 103 for speeding
▪ 59 for using cellphones while driving
▪ 38 for following too closely
▪ 36 for not wearing seat belts
▪ 36 for making unsafe lane changes
▪ 36 for failing to properly secure a load
The State Patrol held the emphasis patrol because six semitrucks crashed in the same construction zone on I-5 in as many months.
Other focused patrols will be held but not announced publicly.
This story was originally published March 7, 2019 at 8:25 AM.
