Written by staff reporter Lynn Thompson

Extra DUI patrols will be on area roads for the next three weekends. Public Health - Seattle & King County is joining with local law-enforcement agencies and traffic-safety groups to target drunken driving over the holidays.

Ninety-four people died in King County traffic crashes in 2008 and an additional 669 people were seriously injured, according to the public-health agency. The agency also cited a 2006 survey of Seattle drinkers conducted by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center in which one out of five drinkers admitted to driving after drinking too much in the previous month.

"Traffic crashes kill or seriously injure hundreds of people in King County each year," said Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "By driving sober or planning safe rides home, you can protect yourself, family and friends."

The additional DUI patrols are funded by the Washington Traffic Safety commission.