King County law enforcement is part of a regional crackdown on motorists who speed or drive while intoxicated.

So far this year, the X-52 patrol, as it’s called (for Extra Patrols Every Weekend), has had contact with 1,604 dangerous drivers, arrested 28 for drunk driving, written ticketed 744 for speeding and issued 1,094 traffic tickets.

The King County Sheriff Department is involved in the patrol, which also covers Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. Special patrols this summer are scheduled for July 19, Aug. 1, and Sept. 28.

“Traffic crashes kill or seriously injure hundreds of people in King County each year,” said Dr. David Fleming, director of the Seattle-King County Pubic Health Department. “Our coordinated efforts will help prevent crashes, reduce injuries and save lives.”

Impaired driving and speed are the two factors most often cited in death and disabling injuries on Washington’s roadways, officials said. In 2006 alone, 147 King County residents died in traffic crashes,