NEWS RELEASE: March 6, 2006
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: Lieutenant Chuck Yokley, KHP (620) 431-2100
Lieutenant Mike Thweatt
Patrol, Local Agencies to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint
The Kansas Highway Patrol, Iola Police Department and Allen County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a sobriety checkpoint March 10 in the Iola area. Checkpoints are designed to identify and apprehend individuals who are driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
“The purpose of a checkpoint is not to harass motorists, but to decrease crashes through awareness and enforcement,” said Patrol Lt. Chuck Yokley.
Checkpoints are an effective tool to combat impaired driving, as well as check for and promote the use of seat belts and child safety seats. A public opinion survey conducted by MADD in 2004 showed that 87 percent of Americans support the use of checkpoints to detect drivers who have been drinking.
It is illegal in Kansas to drive or attempt to operate a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher. Penalties for impaired driving include loss of driving privileges, fines, court costs and possible jail time. The more severe consequences of drinking and driving include injuring or killing yourself, an occupant of your vehicle or the occupants of another vehicle.
According to MADD, about 16,000 people are killed every year in alcohol-related crashes, averaging one alcohol-related fatality every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute approximately 39 percent of all traffic fatalities. In Kansas, 32 percent of all fatal traffic crashes were alcohol-related, according to MADD’s 2004 statistics.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 6 to 28. Almost half of those crashes are alcohol-related. In addition, fatal crashes involving alcohol are three times more likely to occur at night.
The Patrol appreciates the patience and cooperation from citizens involved in this checkpoint.