This is a "sobering" photo from the Washington Department of Ecology.


A group of volunteers cleaning trash along I-5 near Lynnwood probably expected numerous bottles, as would anyone that has ever volunteered to pick up public trash.

This is different. This indicates despite all the DUI laws and emphasis patrols that local and state law enforcement have been doing, Washington drivers are still drinking and driving in high numbers.

I have noticed the same driving between Yakima and the Tri-Cities on Highway 24. I often stop and stretch and walk around to wake up, since getting up at 3:00 am every day leads to a few days I have to be mindful of my fatigue.

I see often the same type of bottles and cans no matter which turnout I stop, which tends to make me think the douchenozzle alcoholic that litters along Highway 24 drinks on his way home every day.

My point being that this is a statewide problem, not exclusive to the stretch of I-5 those youth cleaned up in the photo.

I can't wait for the days when automatic driving cars are required by law and public safety isn't dependant on someone else taking personal responsibility for their actions.

We are fortunate to have pretty steady patrols along the highways here in the Yakima area, but I hate to say it apparently we need more.

Roadside wildfires can also be ignited by broken bottles and trash thrown out, so it is important to keep that in mind.

One also wonders how many workable fingerprints are on those bottles. Maybe it's time to start cataloging those prints?

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