emphasis patrols

Do you wear your seatbelt while behind the wheel in Yakima?

They're conducting speed patrols looking for drivers not stopping for red lights and speeding.

Yakima Police continue searching for speeding drivers in the city as the traffic speed patrols continue.

During the week of April 2 through April 8 officers made a total of 775 traffic stops and arrested 11 drivers for driving under the influence.

Chief Greg Cobb says before the police chase law was changed the department saw an average of 3 chases each year.

In 2021 the Yakima Police Department made a presentation to the city about installing Red Light cameras to help put a stop to the problem.

Yakima County Coroner Jim Curtis says a majority of the drivers killed were under the influence of drugs or alcohol or both.

First they say if the police vehicle is unmarked it will still be equipped with flashing red and blue lights as well as a audible siren.

Every Tuesday the department posts it's traffic emphasis numbers on social media.

Department officials say there's really no end to the emphasis patrols that continue into the new year.

Capt. Jay Seely says Officers are expected to make 3 to 4 traffic stops everyday to slow drivers and send a message that traffic is being monitored in Yakima.