100 Safe Days of Summer: Bellevue police step up DUI, distracted driving patrols
Jun 12, 2026, 11:30 AM | Updated: 3:40 pm
The Bellevue Police Department is launching its annual “100 Safe Days of Summer” traffic safety campaign, increasing DUI and distracted-driving enforcement in response to a recent uptick in impaired-driving incidents.
Public Information Officer Drew Anderson says data from the last three years show an upward trend in DUI-related crashes and collisions in 2024, making this year’s emphasis especially critical.
“Whenever there is someone driving who is impaired, it is a danger to our community,” Anderson said. “We want to bring an educational campaign, asking folks to think twice before they get behind the wheel and drive.”
Emphasis patrols start this weekend
The 100 Safe Days of Summer emphasis patrols start this weekend and continue through Labor Day. While officers enforce impaired driving laws year-round, this summer’s effort will put additional officers on the road – from motorcycle units, to traffic, and patrol officers.
“It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is; if officers believe a driver is impaired, they will pull them over, investigate, and, if impairment is confirmed, make an arrest,” Anderson said.
DUI first, but distracted driving still on the radar
DUI is the primary focus of the operation, but distracted drivers will also be targeted. Drivers caught using a phone or other electronic device behind the wheel can expect enforcement attention as well.
“For us, DUI is the focus, but if you have your phone or an electronic device in your hand and it clearly looks like you were distracted when you’re driving, you’re also going to be held accountable,” Anderson said.
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Teens at higher risk in summer months
The campaign also shines a spotlight on young drivers. Anderson cites data tied to distracted driving demos at local high schools: more than 13,000 traffic fatalities linked to teen drivers occurred between 2019 and 2023, and over 30% of those crashes happened during the summer months.
The Bellevue Police Department is urging parents and teens to talk now about safe driving, avoiding impairment, distraction, speeding, and risky nighttime driving, and to set clear expectations and a backup plan so teens never feel pressured to drive in an unsafe situation.
“We encourage parents to discuss the dangers of driving distracted, driving impaired, speeding, and even nighttime driving with their teens and set some clear rules and an agreement … and in case of emergencies, always have a plan in action,” Anderson said.
With more cars on the road and longer days ahead, the department’s message is simple: If you drive impaired or distracted, expect to be stopped and possibly arrested this summer.
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