DUI Memorial Sign Program
The DUI Memorial Sign Program is a grass roots program, borne from an
idea of people who had lost family members in collisions caused by drunk
driving. The Department of Transportation has embraced the program as
a way to join together with citizens of this state in the ongoing efforts
to combat Driving Under the Influence.
The standard sign features the words "Please
Don't Drink And Drive" below which is a plaque displaying the
victim's name. Along non-interstate highways, the signs are placed near
the scene of the collision, one sign for each direction of travel. For
the Interstate system, one sign can be installed along the on ramp nearest
to the collision scene, in the direction of travel that the collision
occurred.
The Department of Transportation has no jurisdiction on county roads
or city streets, and thus, cannot provide signs along those roadway systems.
However, some local agencies have implemented similar programs, and the
Department can provide the name and phone number of a contact person
for those agencies having similar programs.
Signs can be installed if the driver causing the collision was convicted
of vehicular homicide because of DUI, under RCW 46.61.520, or was
fatally injured and shown to be DUI based on toxicology reports.
The sponsors pay for the signs. The total sign costs are $300 for
Interstate highway on ramps, $500 for two lane highways, and $700
for non-interstate
four lane highways. This cost includes sign fabrication and installation
by the Department of Transportation crews.
How to Request DUI Victim Memorial Signs
To initiate the process, a letter requesting participation in the DUI
Victim Memorial Sign Program may be sent to:
Pat O'Leary
WSDOT
PO Box 47344
Olympia, WA 98504-7344
e-mail olearyp@wsdot.wa.gov
Or call Pat at (360) 705-7296 for more information.
In this letter, the requester needs to identify the name of the deceased
and include discussion about their relationship to that person. Letters
of request from friends need to include a note from the immediate family
that okays the sign installation and authorizes the friend to act on the
family's behalf.
In this letter, the requester needs to identify the name of the deceased
and include discussion about their relationship to that person. Letters
of request from friends need to include a note from the immediate family
that okays the sign installation and authorizes the friend to act on
the family's behalf.
The letter also needs to discuss the date the collision occurred, the
state highway number and approximate location, and how alcohol or other
drugs, as defined by RCW 46.61.502, contributed to the collision. Because
signs may be installed only if the driver causing the collision was convicted
of vehicular homicide because of DUI, under RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), or was
fatally injured and shown to be DUI based on blood toxicology reports,
the letter also needs to include discussion about the disposition of
those aspects.
After receipt of the initiating letter, the Department reviews the
details and provides the requester with an invoice and a letter.
The letter has
a space for the requester to sign, and serves as a formal agreement
between the department and the requester. After signing the agreement
letter
and returning it to the Department with payment, the requester is provided
his/her copy together with notification that the signs have been ordered.
Sign fabrication and installation is accomplished by the department
forces, and normally takes 45 to 60 days to complete once the sign
order is placed.
At most locations, the Department can provide for a few family members
and close friends to be present when the signs are installed. After
the signs are ordered, an employee of the Department's regional office
will
contact the requester to discuss optional days and times for installing
the signs.
RCW 46.61.520 Vehicular homicide
(1) When death of any person ensues within three years as a proximate result
of injury proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person,
the driver is guilty of vehicular homicide if the driver was operating
a motor vehicle
(a) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor
or any drug, as defined by RCW 46.61.502
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