RAINIER VALLEY – Seattle Police say they plan to conduct road safety emphasis patrols in the Rainier Valley this week.

“Specifically the patrols will focus on the behaviors that commonly contribute to collisions, injuries and deaths along Rainier Avenue South and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way South such as speeding, impaired driving (DUI), cell phone usage/distraction, and failure to yield,” said City spokesperson Peg Nielson.

Four pedestrians have recently been struck by cars while crossing major Rainier Valley thoroughfares and two have been killed. In addition, an 86-year-old woman was recently struck by a light rail train while she was crossing Martin Luther King Jr. Way South at South Graham Street using a walker, officials said.

The special patrols will take place this Thursday and Friday, October 18 and 19.