While looking ahead to the Labor Day weekend, Kansas law enforcement officials will be looking for impaired drivers.
In preparation for its combined annual, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different” campaigns, the Kansas Department of Transportation is warning drivers of the risks and consequences associated with this behavior.
KDOT is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association to bring attention to the sobering statistics. In 2020, three out of 10 fatal crashes were caused by impaired drivers, and KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman said it’s time to stop and think.
“To keep you, your passengers and others on the roads safe, designate a driver who has not consumed alcohol or drugs of any type. Make using public transportation or ride-sharing services a part of your plan,” Herman said. “If there is any question about how to travel safely, just stay home.”
According to Herman, over 19% of all Kansas traffic fatalities in 2020 were alcohol related.
Unfortunately, an alcohol-related crash happens every four hours in Kansas. And across the nation that same year, one person was killed every 45 minutes in a drunken-driving crash.
In addition to driving when impaired by alcohol, it’s also illegal and deadly to drive high – buzzed, stoned, wasted, or drunk – no matter what you call it. No amount of drugs that impair driving are safe, and this includes marijuana. Forty-six percent of drivers who were killed in crashes nationally in 2018, and were tested for drugs, tested positive for marijuana.
Driving impaired from alcohol or drugs is illegal in all 50 states. Offenders are subject to fines and jail time and other consequences. Law enforcement will participate in these safe driving campaigns and be out in force beginning Friday, Sept. 2, through Tuesday, Sept. 6.