What can be done to try to curb fatal DUI accidents?

SEATTLE -- It's been a deadly few weeks on Western Washington roads -- three people killed and eight hurt in what police say are all drunken driving crashes.

Most would agree something needs to be done to stop what seems to be a growing problem of impaired driving.

It's not a new problem, but there seems to be a new sense of urgency with so much loss of life in such a short period of time.

The deadly DUI related fatal crash Thursday morning on SR 520 near Montlake didn't have to happen and Morgan Williams, the woman killed in the head-on collision by a suspected DUI wrong-way driver, didn't have to die.

State Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, said he believes one solution might be his pending DUI bill, which, in part, would crack down on the type of crashes seen Thursday.

“Wrong-way DUI, driving drunk down the wrong way is an extremely dangerous situation; we'd be increasing penalties on that, so there are many provisions in the bill,” Goodman said.

That legislation hasn't made it to a vote yet, but with three fatal DUI crashes in the area in just the last month, many feel it's time to send a stronger message.

North Star Treatment Group owner and substance abuse counselor Craig Rock said most of the people who take his alcohol education class do so by court order.

But, because of recent DUI fatality crashes, he is offering the class free to anyone except those with a court order.

He believes what can be learned here could save lives.

"Because if you understand how to use alcohol or intoxicants responsibly, then you're going to know how to operate a vehicle and not be in danger to yourself or other people,” Rock said.

North Star Treatment Group offers a class full of information, and there are drunken driving survivors and family members who share very emotional stories about the impact drunken drivers had on their lives.

To learn more about North Start Treatment Group, click here.