Pierce County Sheriff's Department Launch Speed Emphasis Patrols

PUYALLUP, WA — Speeders beware! The Pierce County Sheriff's Department says it will have extra deputies out on patrol this week trying to catch drivers who disobey speed limits.

The department says deputies across the county have been asked to take part in their speed emphasis patrol, but they will be focusing on a few hot spots. Those include Pioneer Way and Canyon Road in Puyallup, which is also undergoing a major repaving project this week.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Pierce County is the county with the second most fatal collisions involving a motor vehicle in the whole state, with 301 deadly crashes between 2015 and 2019.

Already this year, Pierce County has seen 30 high-speed crashes that caused serious injuries or deaths, WSDOT reports. That's why, deputies say, it's time to slow down and save lives.