Drunk drivers and traffic violators will get special attention through Labor Day, as law enforcement across the state takes part in the annual “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest!” program.
The national crackdown is underwritten by a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation to police, sheriff, and Kansas Highway Patrol officers.
Lyon County Sheriff’s officers have signed up for overtime in order to concentrate their efforts on the campaign.
Sheriff Gary Eichorn said that about a dozen deputies have signed up for extra duty, with overtime being reimbursed by KDOT grant.
Evening and early morning hours will be the primary focus of the county’s impaired driving patrol, Eichorn said.
Deputy Richard Johnson is coordinating the effort.
“We’ve got about $6,000 to work with for overtime, so we’ll be able to do it with no costs to local taxpayers,” said Police Chief Gary Smith.
Police will operate check lanes and will announce where those lanes will be set up. Twelve officers already have volunteered and signed up to take part in the campaign.
“We’re trying to get those slots filled by people who want to get out there and do that kind of work,” Smith said.
The extra officers on DUI and traffic patrol also will be available to assist other officers in case of emergencies.
Smith said that police reports seem to be documenting a slight increase in the number of people driving impaired.
Officers are being trained in highly specialized methods of DUI identification and enforcement strategies, he said. Key offenders are those who chronically drive drunk and too often are allowed to accumulate multiple DUI convictions. Society seems to tolerate drunk driving.
“A lot of folks when you arrest them, they’ll say, ‘Who did I hurt? ... It’s just me, and why are you picking on me?’ ... You kill somebody, it’s like a slap on the wrist,” Smith said, noting the manslaughter charge associated with deaths from crashes involving drunk drivers.
“It’s risky behavior that affects other people.”
Enforcement of drunk driving and other traffic laws will be aggressive on highways across the state, according to information from KHP Technical Trooper Rick Wingate. More than 100 law enforcement agencies statewide are expected to join the Patrol in its stepped-up enforcement efforts during the end-of summer holiday period.
Wingate said that in Kansas, six people are killed or injured every day in alcohol-related crashes that produce emotional, social, and economic effects for the people involved.
“The financial ripples by themselves are formidable,” Wingate said. “Alcohol-related crashes last year, in Kansas alone, cost almost $628 million in medical charges, property damage, lost earnings, lost household production, emergency services, travel delay, vocational rehabilitation and workplace disruption.”
Taxpayers, too, bear costs for drunk drivers. While the immediate costs are definable for the families involved, drunk driving brings with it many millions of dollars in additional financial costs —tax dollars spent on prevention activities, court-ordered education programs, victim impact panels, enforcement, processing, prosecuting, incarceration, monitoring, and drivers’ license suspension hearings, Wingate added.
People involved in alcohol-related crashes are four and a half times more likely to be seriously injured or killed than those who are involved in a non-alcohol related crash.
“In 2008, alcohol was a contributing factor in a record 34 percent of all fatal crashes in Kansas,” he said.
Wingate said he wanted people to learn five facts from the campaign against impaired driving:
F Don’t even consider driving home if you have been drinking; ride with a sober driver. “By ‘sober,’ I don’t mean someone you believe is less drunk,” Wingate said.
F Officers can pull over drivers for a number of traffic infractions and mechanical deficiencies. “If we detect a hint of alcohol, you will be tested,” he said. “Don’t take the chance.”
F Expect impaired driving enforcement year-round, not just during this campaign.
F If you see suspicious driving behavior, note the location and call 911.
F Remember that everyone’s best protection is to always wear seat belts and have children in proper safety restraints, every trip, every time.
jackslap (anonymous) says...
Sweet, Nothing like a good challenge.
August 20, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
It's just like the drug check lanes on I-35. They watch for people to react when they see the signs. I assume they hope talking about beefing up patrols will discourage drunk driving. I'm sure they won't only be at the posted areas, either. The local cops know where they're likely to catch drunk drivers.
August 20, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moundace10 (anonymous) says...
anonymous "observation" - they have to announce the check lanes. it's law. as well as DL check lanes. it only has to be posted where the public is allowed. so don't be surprised if its in the lobby at the police dept.
Good luck officers. happy hunting for the law breakers
August 20, 2009 at 6:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paccifier (anonymous) says...
crackinasack; Glad you set us straight on where you stand on this one, some of us might have wondered.
August 20, 2009 at 10:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
August 21, 2009 at 12:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )