Rising 2025 Drunk Driving Arrests in Bellingham Underscore the Ongoing Risk of Drunk Driving Accidents
Every day, 34 people in the U.S. die in drunk driving accidents across the country. While there was a sustained decrease in alcohol-related fatalities in the decade after drunk driving campaigns gained traction, between 2014 and 2023, the country saw a 25 percent increase in DUI crashes.
As car accident attorneys, we see the terrible effects of drunk driving on accident victims. That’s why we are concerned that according to police records, Bellingham is experiencing an alarming rise in impaired driving and drunk driving arrests in 2025. Between January 1 and October 31, 2025, Bellingham Police made 390 arrests for driving under the influence, according to crime data available online. By comparison, there were 400 DUI arrests in all of 2024. In the final weekend of October alone, from Friday to Sunday, Bellingham Police made 11 arrests for driving under the influence.
If You or a Loved One Was the Victim of a Drunk Driver You Do Not Have to Suffer Alone!
Tario & Associates, P.S. has over 40 years’ experience representing victims of drunk driving car accidents. When you have been seriously injured through no fault of your own, you may need a legal advocate who will fight for the settlement you deserve. We offer a free consultation and no up-front fees for all of your personal injury clients with no payment owed unless we recover a settlement for you. Contact us today!
Who is Behind These DUI Arrests?
About 50 percent or more of the arrests in Bellingham this year are for repeat offenders with very high blood alcohol levels at 0.2 or above (for context, the legal limit is 0.08). This means that there is a relatively small number of drivers who are making very irresponsible decisions that make our roads much more dangerous for everyone.
4 Tips to Reduce Drunk Driving Accidents
Even one impaired driver on the road can change lives forever, but taking simple precautions can help keep you, your loved ones, and others on the road safe. Commit to reducing drunk driving car accidents with these safety tips:
- Support the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tie One On For Safety® campaign between November 1 and January 1. Take the pledge to always have a designated driver or to take alternate transportation. Display MADD’s red ribbon, magnet, or window decal in your car window to indicate your commitment.
- If you are hosting a party in your home:
- Offer plenty of snacks, water, and other non-alcoholic beverages to your guests.
- Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends.
- Offer to let guests stay who become unexpectedly drunk.
- Never get behind the wheel if you feel buzzed or stoned/high. If you are in doubt of whether you are safe to drive, wait an hour and reassess. The only way to sober up is with time.
- Use rideshare apps, taxis, or public transportation. Planning ahead for a safe ride home can eliminate the temptation to drive after drinking and prevent tragic, avoidable crashes.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
