||| FROM KOMO-TV |||
The message is the same as it’s been for decades: don’t drive impaired.
But there’s a new updated policy from Washington State Ferries (WSF) for its employees on how to handle an impaired driver or rider on board.
Thousands of drivers crisscross Puget Sound on state ferries every day – either for work or for fun. That fun often includes ball games, concerts, festivals, or parties.
“We always see impaired drivers, especially during the holidays,” Dana Warr, spokesperson for WSF, told KOMO News.
“It’s a battle that we continue to fight each and every day,” Trooper Kevin Fortino, Public Information Officer for Washington State Patrol’s Homeland Security division, told KOMO News. Now, in advance of the summer holidays, WSF instituted a more robust training program to help its crews identify drivers who may be impaired.
“It empowers them to identify and make decisions on the spot,” Warr said.
“So obviously, with the crew members, they have a front-row seat to a lot of activities because they are the ones operating the vessels. They are both loading and communicating with people more,” Fortino said.
He explained that troopers work in partnership with WSF crews and that when a trooper is on duty at a terminal or on a boat, the two entities are in radio contact.
“It’s important for people to recognize the state ferry system is part of our highway system. They’re no different than the interstate, for example, as far as enforcement goes,” Trooper Fortino said.
This new, stronger policy gives those crews the power to stop and hold someone – so they don’t leave the boat until law enforcement is involved.
“And it goes so far as if we have to delay service because we don’t want somebody driving off the ferry. The captain has the authority to do that,” Warr explained.
Both agencies stated they are committed to ensuring safe transport for passengers, employees, and the public.
“One way we do this is by preventing impaired drivers from endangering themselves and others while on any of our vessels or at any of our terminals,” Steve Nevey said in a WSF communication.
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The WSF is authorized to call the police, NOT to detain people. The courts will eviscerate this “policy” the first time it is challenged. The new hires at WSF are a motley crew and are barely able to park cars. The idea that they are authorized or even capable of assessing a driver’s competency is laughable.