Kansas highway patrol plans intensive enforcement over holiday
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Kansas Highway Patrol will continue to “STEP” up traffic enforcement efforts during the Labor Day holiday, including a multi-state traffic safety mobilization starting on Thursday.
KHP instituted the Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) on Aug. 14; it ends Monday.
Through the STEP grant, provided through the Kansas Department of Transportation, troopers will work overtime hours to promote traffic safety and to remove impaired drivers from the roadways, according to information from KHP Technical Trooper Edna R. Buttler.
“The STEP mobilization ‘Over the Limit. Under Arrest.’ will target the entire state of Kansas,” Buttler’s release said.
The High Corridor Enforcement Action program — a cooperative effort of officers from Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas — will focus on Interstate Highway 35. Officers will look for speeders, impaired drivers and seat belt violators to help reduce the number of preventable crashes.
“Kansas troopers will join law enforcement officers statewide in a zero-tolerance enforcement, in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired drivers over the Labor Day holiday,” KHP Superintendent Terry L. Maple said in a news release. “Drivers who choose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be arrested. No excuses. No exceptions.”
KDOT statistics show that 454 crashes statewide resulted in three deaths and 130 injuries in the 78-hour Labor Day holiday weekend reporting period.
Of those 454 accidents, 52 were alcohol related, and resulted in one of the three deaths and 25 of the 130 injuries.
Buttler reminded drivers that it is illegal to drive with a blood- or breath-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Penalties for violating the law can include loss of driving privileges, fines, court costs, and possible jail time.
KHP suggested these precautions:
- If you plan to drive, do not drink. Designate a non-drinking driver and give that person your keys.
- Never ride with a driver who has been drinking.
- Take a list of phone numbers with y ou for taxis or friends to call for a sober ride home.
- If possible, plan to spend the night at the event.
- If you are hosting a party, provide non-alcoholic alternatives and do not let guests drive drunk.
- Report impaired drivers to your local law enforcement agency.
- Always buckle up and secure children properly in their safety seats.
- Always wear a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle; these are motorcyclists’ best defenses against impaired drivers and accidents.