As many Seattle DUI attorneys and Bellevue DUI attorneys know, over the past three months the Washington State Patrol (the, “WSP”) has been educating motorists about Washington State’s new Emergency Zone Law (the “EZL” – also known as the “Move Over Law”), which took effect on January 1, 2011.  As of Friday, April 1, 2011, however, the WSP stopped educating folks about the EZL, and actually began enforcing it.

The EZL requires motorists to either move over or slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles on the side of a highway. The law creates a 200-foot zone around emergency vehicles that are stopped with their lights activated. Washington State passed its original Move Over Law in 2007. Interestingly, however, safety problems actually worsened for emergency responders.  Between 2006 and 2009, the WSP alone had 80 collisions involving passing vehicles striking trooper vehicles parked along the highway. Major factors in these collisions were speeding, driving too fast for conditions and DUI. Thus, the EZL is one more way to curtail speeding, driving too fast for conditions, and driver’s who choose to drink too much alcohol or use drugs and drive a motor vehicle.

Because of the significant implications a DUI arrest and/or conviction can have, it is imperative that a person charged with DUI in Washington State immediately retain a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer or a qualified Bellevue DUI lawyer. In many instances, a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer can significantly reduce the impact that a DUI charge will have on an individual’s life. The right Seattle DUI attorney will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting a person’s rights, freedom and future. The Seattle DUI attorneys that make up the litigation team of SQ Attorneys are dedicated to defending those accused of drunk driving. They have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully defend your case. Unlike other law firms that practice in many areas of the law, SQ Attorneys is focused on criminal defense representation with an emphasis on DUI defense in Western Washington.

If you or a loved one is faced with a DUI charge in Western Washington, you deserve the assistance of a reputable and qualified Seattle DUI attorney who will relentlessly defend your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI lawyer who has an intimate understanding of Washington DUI laws and the legal issues that could win your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI defense attorney who is not afraid to stand up against the prosecution and aggressively fight for your rights and interests. SQ Attorneys is the right Western Washington DUI law firm for the job. Call for a free initial consultation – (206) 441.0900 (Seattle); (425) 998-8384 (Eastside) – it will be the best decision you make all day.