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DUI Checkpoint Planned During Upcoming Holiday

11/10/2010

Drunk Driving - Over the Limit, Under Arrest logo

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, along with as many as 140 other law enforcement agencies across the State of Kansas, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, will be participating in the Kansas Thanksgiving Traffic Enforcement Campaign, from Monday, November 22nd, through Sunday, November 28th.  A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation will enable the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol to conduct a Sobriety Checkpoint on Friday, November 19th in Cherokee County.  Officers will be aggressively enforcing the Kansas impaired DUI driving laws and other noted violations.  Officers will be looking especially for impaired drivers and for children, teens and adults who are not properly restrained.

Those driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, endanger not only themselves, but also their passengers, other motorists and pedestrians.  Across Kansas, six persons – most of them innocent – are killed or injured in nine alcohol related crashes each day.  According to KDOT, compared with non alcohol-related crashes, vehicle occupants in alcohol-related crashes are over 2 ½ times more likely to be injured or killed.  Each week across Kansas nearly 350 drivers are arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence).  A DUI conviction will result in jail time, suspension of drivers’ license, a fine of $500 to $2,500.00, participation in an alcohol treatment program and will become a permanent part of the driver’s record.

Failing to buckle up is also responsible for needless death and maiming.  Those who do not buckle up are about 12 times more likely to be killed and almost twice as likely to suffer injury as those who do buckle up.  Even worse is the fact that injuries suffered by those who are unbuckled are likely to be much more severe and disabling than those suffered by an occupant who is restrained. Unfortunately, many people incorrectly associate danger with speed in that they feel safe driving around town unbuckled and save buckling up for the highway and faster county roads.  According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, which tracks all crashes in the state, crashes are most likely to occur within a short distance from home, and even low-speed crashes such as 5-10 mph can turn tragic.

According to Sheriff Groves, “Keep in mind that if you are going to be drinking – any amount at all – don’t consider driving home.  Arrange to ride with a non-drinking acquaintance.  Don’t let pride or convenience endanger your life and the lives of innocent others.  Always wear your seatbelt and don’t move the vehicle until each person riding with you is restrained – it is your best defense, it’s their best defense and it’s the law.  By always following these simple rules, you will preserve life – maybe your own.

 

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