The Arkansas City Police Department will participate with other agencies in the Kansas Thanksgiving Traffic Enforcement Campaign Nov. 24 – 30.
A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation will enable the department to have more officer presence on streets and highways to aggressively enforce Kansas traffic laws.
"They will be especially vigilant for impaired drivers and children, teens and adults who are not buckled up," police Lt. Chris Arnett said.
Impaired drivers endanger everyone around them. In Kansas, nearly six people are killed or injured every day in alcohol-related crashes, according to Arnett.
"Furthermore, not only do the impaired drivers endanger others, but in crashes that follow drivers and passengers are over 2 1/2 times more likely to be killed or injured than in a non alcohol-related crash.
Almost 18,000 drunk driving arrests were made last year in Kansas and great efforts are being made at all levels of government to increase both the number of arrests and the number of convictions.
"A couple of thing to keep in mind – if you are going to be drinking – any amount – don’t consider driving home. Arrange to ride with a non-drinking acquaintance," Arnett said. "Don’t let pride or convenience endanger your life and the lives of innocent others. Don’t take the chance.
"And always wear your seat belt and make sure each person riding with you is restrained," he said. "It is your best defense and it’s the law. If we catch you breaking the law, it will cost you."
Arnett also reminded motorists to over move to the inside lane when approaching emergency vehicles that have their emergency lights activated and are stopped on the side of the road.
