WSP Out with Extra Patrols This Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is historically a very heavy travel day, and despite the pandemic and "Stay Home" orders, this weekend is likely to be not too much different.

State Patrol Trooper John Bryant says they will have extra patrols.

"We will be out there in force looking to stop excessive speeders, distracted drivers, those driving under the influence, not wearing seatbelts and those just causing problems out there."

Trooper Bryant says they want everyone to be safe and that there will be no fatal collisions or other serious accidents.

He also noted that they need help from their motorists themselves.

"Call 911 if you see it. Let us know, let the communications officer know what's going on, where it's at. Help us out with the information. Help be our eyes and ears out there so we can get to those problem areas faster and clear the roadway so you can get to where you need to go this weekend."

He says that the Kittitas County Health Department is hopeful to move to Phase 2 next week, so they are asking people to either not visit the County, or to move through quickly.

The Washington State Department of Transportation says they are not providing their customary travel charts since vacation travel is technically not permitted under the current "Stay Home" order, but that they've also seen decreased traffic and it's a bit tricky to know what this weekend will look like.