The Bellevue Police Department urged community members to think ahead and arrange a sober ride while traveling in and around Bellevue during the holidays following an uptick of arrests where the driver was driving under the influence (DUI).
So far for the month of November, Bellevue Officers have made 20 DUI arrests within city limits, with seven DUI arrests occurring over last weekend (November 14-16). Additionally, data collected by Bellevue Police’s Crime Analysis Unit showed a 7% increase in DUI arrests in 2025 (270) compared to last year (253).
“Community members should enjoy and celebrate the holiday season, but there is absolutely no excuse to drive under the influence. Bellevue Police ask individuals to be proactive and put the safety of our roads and others first. This starts by getting a sober ride home if you’re impaired,” said Wendell Shirley, Bellevue Police Chief.
Impaired-driving arrests are always preventable. The Bellevue Police Department urges residents to take advantage of many other options to ensure a safe ride home and a safe community – including taking public transit, ridesharing opportunities available on smartphones, carpooling and vanpooling, walking, or calling a friend or family member.
Bellevue Police is a part of the King County Target Zero Task Force, a collaboration of stakeholders such as law enforcement, city/regional/state/tribal governments, community organizations, and schools to create equitable traffic safety programs that would reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities across King County. The agency is also part of the city of Bellevue’s Vision Zero initiative, adopted in 2016, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious-injury collisions on city streets by 2030.
According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, about 49% (3,081) of all traffic fatalities involved a driver who was impaired. Last year marked the first time in four years where traffic fatalities decreased in Washington state.
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