Statewide initiative "Target Zero" focuses on saving lives

Tri-Cities, WA-

A statewide initiative called Target Zero is underway and focused on saving lives on Washinton's roadways.

The goal in mind is to reduce the amount of traffic deaths to zero by 2030.

"Traffic is unavoidable, it's something that we all participate in, and it's a high-risk activity so we want to see as little casualties related to those types of incidents," said Lieutenant Thomas Groom for Pasco Police Department.

Pasco Police Department has set out speed trailers to collect data in areas where speeding or collisions are more frequent, so they can start enforcing in those locations.

The initiative isn't solely focused on speed however, bars or areas where drunk drivers are often found can be Target Zero focused, as well as certain days such as holidays or Super Bowl Sunday.

"You're going to see more lights, you're going to see traffic stops when infractions are observed. When we assign officers to these events, they're out there specifically for traffic, so they are not getting pulled off for different events, so they are likely to be enforcing more traffic out there," said Lieutenant Groom.

Although officers say this is a temporary fix, such as people choosing not to speed when they see officers frequently in a certain area, the number of fatalities has been on the decline since implementing Target Zero.