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2007-48
PRESS RELEASE:  August 28, 2007
FROM:   The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: Lieutenant John A. Eichkorn (785) 296-6800
Technical Trooper Edna Buttler (785) 296-6800

Troopers Participate in U.S. Border-to-Border Enforcement

Nationwide I-35 enforcement to be in conjunction with Labor Day holiday STEP campaign

Kansas Highway Patrol troopers will join officers from Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas in a border-to-border traffic safety mobilization on Thursday, August 30. Through a High Corridor Enforcement Action program, law enforcement officers from Duluth, Minnesota, to Laredo, Texas, will conduct high levels of enforcement along Interstate 35 to focus on speeding, impaired driving, and seat belt violations. The I-35 enforcement program will serve as a kick off to the busy Labor Day holiday weekend.

"One of the Patrol's top priorities is to reduce injuries and deaths on our roadways," said Patrol Superintendent Colonel William R. Seck. "If we can get people to slow down, buckle up, and end drinking and driving, countless lives could be saved. One life lost is one too many."

Troopers from Troops A (Kansas City metropolitan area), Troop B (Topeka / Northeast Kansas), Troop H (Chanute / Southeast Kansas), and Troop G (the Kansas Turnpike) will participate in this special event.

The I-35 mobilization will be conducted in conjunction with the statewide Labor Day holiday Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). STEP enforcement began August 16 and will end September 3. Through a STEP grant provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation, troopers will work overtime hours to promote traffic safety and remove impaired drivers from the roadways. The STEP mobilization – Over the Limit. Under Arrest. – will target the entire state of Kansas.

"Kansas troopers will join law enforcement officers statewide in a zero-tolerance enforcement of impaired drivers over the Labor Day holiday," Colonel Seck said. "Drivers who choose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be arrested. No excuses. No exceptions."

According to statistics from KDOT, there were 414 crashes that resulted in seven deaths and 176 injuries in the 78-hour reporting period during last year's Labor Day holiday weekend, which was September 1-4, 2006. Of the 414 crashes, 26 were alcohol-related crashes that resulted in five of the seven deaths and 16 of the 176 injuries.

It is illegal in Kansas to drive or attempt to operate a motor vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol concentration 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.

The Patrol suggests taking the following precautions:

  • If you plan to drive, do not drink.
  • If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver and give that person your keys. Never ride with a driver who has been drinking. Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk.
  • Take a list of phone numbers with you for cabs or friends to call for a sober ride home.
  • If possible, plan to spend the night at the event.
  • If you are throwing a party, provide non-alcoholic alternatives, and never let guests drive drunk.
  • Report impaired drivers to your local law enforcement agency.
  • Always buckle up and properly secure children in their safety seats.