SEATTLE - Washington State Patrol troopers are on the move, picking up drunk drivers during a holiday safety emphasis. They're seeing what they call a startling trend: repeat offenders, who've been through the system once, twice, even eight times before. 

For many of them, it's simply because they can be. Multiple offenders face little jail time in Washington, and often drive even when their license is suspended.

State patrol troopers commonly find themselves re-arresting the same people.

KING

The Smithburgs were victims of two DUI crashes.

It’s a frustrating reality for a couple from Kent, who never get inside a car without looking over  

Paul and Viki Smithburg were victims of a crushing car crash last September. They were hit by an alleged drunk driver.

"I was knocked out, I do not even remember the wreck," Viki said. 

Seven months later, it happened again. Another suspected drunk driver ran into them. 

It’s the kind of scenario state patrol troopers witness all too often, and many times, the drunk driver isn't a new face.

"We're out there, and we keep arresting the same people over and over again,” said Trooper Jeff Merrill of the Washington State Patrol.  

In just the past week, one man was convicted a fifth time. A breathalyzer found him nearly five times above the legal limit.

Troopers also arrested a man who was already convicted of DUI eight times before.

Over the past two days of holiday enforcement in King County, there were 48 DUI arrests. Seventeen of those drivers were repeat offenders, arrested 31 times in the past.

The state patrol is now publicly calling on legislators to stiffen DUI penalties. A new law going into effect next summer will turn a fifth conviction into an automatic felony.

Trooper Merrill says it's a start, but for the Smithburgs it's too little too late.

They want tough consequences for even first DUI offenses, in hopes they'll be the last.