Between Aug. 12 and Sept. 6, extra driving under the influence (DUI) patrols will travel King County roadways in search of impaired drivers.

This Drive Hammered, Get Nailed will be the largest summer DUI enforcement campaign ever with 172 agencies participating throughout the state, including officers from Mercer Island and the Washington State Patrol.

During the summer months, Washington experiences the greatest number of alcohol or drug-impaired driver-involved traffic deaths. Labor Day weekend is one of Washington’s deadliest holidays, averaging more than seven deaths each year.

Last year, impaired drivers contributed to the deaths of more than half of the 491 people who died on Washington’s roadways. The 264 impaired driver-involved deaths in 2009 represent a decrease of nine fatalities compared to the previous five-year average of 273.