Public Safety

WSP to Boost Traffic Enforcement During Water Follies

Thursday, July 23, 2026

2 min read

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The Washington State Patrol will conduct high visibility enforcement patrols July 24-26 during the Water Follies event, focusing on speeding, impaired driving, and seat belt use. Closures will affect SR-240 between 4-6 p.m. on July 25 and 26, with one lane closed at the westbound Columbia Park entrance and the SR-240 to Edison Street off-ramp closed during those times. The patrols aim to prevent serious crashes as crowds gather at Columbia Park. Motorists are urged to plan ahead, use designated drivers, or consider Ben Franklin Transit shuttles. WSP notes these closures mirror previous years' traffic management for the event. Residents should expect delays during the specified hours and avoid stopping on SR-240 shoulders for spectator purposes. The WSP announcement emphasizes the need for patience and compliance with traffic laws during the weekend.

📄 Source: Washington State Patrol — Puyallup Area — https://wsp.wa.gov/

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The Washington State Patrol will conduct high visibility enforcement patrols July 24-26“The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be conducting high visibility enforcement patrols (HVEP) throughout Water Follies weekend, July 24th through July 26th, 2026.”
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The Water Follies event is the focus of the high visibility enforcement patrols“The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be conducting high visibility enforcement patrols (HVEP) throughout Water Follies weekend, July 24th through July 26th, 2026.”
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The high visibility enforcement patrols will focus on speeding“The HVE will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance.”
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The high visibility enforcement patrols will focus on impaired driving“The HVE will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance.”
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The high visibility enforcement patrols will focus on seat belt use“The HVE will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance.”
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Closures will affect SR-240 between 4-6 p.m. on July 25“The main entrance from westbound SR-240 to Columbia Park will have one lane closed from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, to help safely manage event traffic and pedestrians.”
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Closures will affect SR-240 between 4-6 p.m. on July 26No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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One lane will be closed at the westbound Columbia Park entrance during the closures“The main entrance from westbound SR-240 to Columbia Park will have one lane closed from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, to help safely manage event traffic and pedestrians.”
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The SR-240 to Edison Street off-ramp will be closed during the closures“During the same time frame, the westbound off ramp of SR-240 to Edison Street will be closed.”
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The patrols aim to prevent serious crashes“The HVE will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance. WSP Aviation, motorcycle troopers and unmarked patrol vehicles will provide additional enforcement throughout Benton and Franklin counties due to the large crowds and increased traffic around Columbia Park. Troopers will take a low tolerance approach to dangerous driving with the goal of preventing serious injury and fatal collisions.”
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Crowds will gather at Columbia Park during the patrolsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Motorists are urged to plan ahead“Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, use a designated driver or ride share service if needed, consider using the Ben Franklin Transit shuttle options, and expect delays by driving patiently and obeying traffic laws.”
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Motorists are urged to use designated drivers“Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, use a designated driver or ride share service if needed, consider using the Ben Franklin Transit shuttle options, and expect delays by driving patiently and obeying traffic laws.”
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Motorists are urged to consider Ben Franklin Transit shuttles“Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, use a designated driver or ride share service if needed, consider using the Ben Franklin Transit shuttle options, and expect delays by driving patiently and obeying traffic laws.”
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The WSP notes these closures mirror previous years' traffic management for the event“These are the same closures the WSP and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) have conducted in previous years during Water Follies.”
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Residents should expect delays during the specified hours“The main entrance from westbound SR-240 to Columbia Park will have one lane closed from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, to help safely manage event traffic and pedestrians.”
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Residents should avoid stopping on SR-240 shoulders for spectator purposes“Vehicles will not be allowed to stop on the shoulders of SR-240 for the purpose of dropping off or picking up spectators, viewing the races, or air shows.”
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The WSP announcement emphasizes the need for patience during the weekendNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The WSP announcement emphasizes the need for compliance with traffic laws during the weekend“Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, use a designated driver or ride share service if needed, consider using the Ben Franklin Transit shuttle options, and expect delays by driving patiently and obeying traffic laws.”