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Tag: DUIEnforcement

Taking Down DUI (New Year)

Beginning December 26, and continuing through January 3rd, The Galena Police Department will join many other police agencies across the state, including the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office & Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Taking Down DUI traffic enforcement campaign, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).  

            The winter holidays are upon us, but this winter holiday is different. We are in the middle of a COVID pandemic. While we are all aware of the effects COVID has had on us, it has had a dramatic and devastating effect on our roads as well.

Marijuana, opioid, and alcohol use have increased substantially in general during the pandemic, but also with motor vehicle drivers.  These impairing substances now identified in nearly 25% of serious and fatal crashes. Remember, these crashes do not just affect the impaired driver- these crashes involve others that share the vehicle and road with us –passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Impaired driving crashes are completely preventable.

According to KDOT, in comparison with other holidays, the New Year’s Holiday period outranks most of the other holidays in number of crashes in which at least one of the drivers is impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs.  Your choice to drive or to take other safe transportation rests solely with you.

A DUI will change your life forever. A DUI arrest and conviction results in jail time, the suspension or permanent revocation of driver’s license, thousands of dollars for fines, bail, court costs, attorney fees and increased insurance costs.  

“If you plan on using an impairing substance over the holiday season; Line up a ride with a sober acquaintance or other safe transportation BEFORE you go out.     On the drive to zero, you are in the driver’s seat.” 

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Thanksgiving Safe Arrival

Beginning Friday, November 20, through Sunday, Nov 29, 2020 the Galena Police Department will join many other law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Kansas Thanksgiving Safe Arrivaltraffic enforcement campaign.  A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will support overtime enforcement efforts.  While all Kansas Traffic Laws will be enforced, this extra provision will be aggressively targeting and removing impaired drivers from our roads.

According to KDOT, the day before Thanksgiving sees more impairment-related crashes than any other day of the year.  Those who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, are a danger to all they share the road with–their passengers, other motorists and their passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.  Impaired driving crashes tend to be more severe.  On average, across Kansas, three persons are injured every day, and one person is killed every four days in alcohol/drug-related crashes.  Vehicle occupants in alcohol- or other drug-related crashes are over 2 ½ times more likely to be injured or killed than those involved in crashes where alcohol or other drugs were not a factor.   

Each week across Kansas, over 250 drivers are arrested for choosing to drive impaired

(Driving Under the Influence).  A DUI conviction will result in jail time, the suspension or revocation of driver’s license, a fine of $500 to $2,500, participation in an alcohol or other drug treatment program and, where alcohol is cited as a contributing factor, the purchase and installation of an ignition interlock device by the offender.  This device prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is present in the driver’s breath.  All of this is in addition to thousands of dollars more for bail, court costs, and attorney fees.  

 “Keep in mind that if you are going to be drinking;  Arrange to ride with a non-drinking acquaintance BEFORE you go out.”

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both is a choice YOU make.  Make the right choice. On the drive to zero, YOU are in the driver’s seat. 

2019 Pre-Holiday Season Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

This holiday season, The Galena Police Department will be partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the national Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving awareness campaign to help keep impaired drivers off the road. Help us spread the message!

Are you on Santa’s naughty or nice list? Always designate a sober driver to get you home safely after drinking so you don’t wind up with coal in your stocking — or worse. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Keep track of those eggnogs! Even one drink can be one too many. Plan for a sober driver to get you home safely. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Commit to sober driving this holiday season, and every day. Help us spread the message: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Keep the holidays merry and bright: This holiday season, and every day, stay safe by refusing to drink and drive. Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

If you are buzzed, you are already too drunk to drive home. Even one drink can be one too many if you’re getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

During December 2017, 885 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver. Always remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Keep your cash for your holiday shopping, not for a drunk-driving arrest. A DUI can set you back $10,000 in court costs, lost time at work, car towing, and more. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

In 2017, an average of one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 48 minutes. This holiday, and every day, remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Just like drunk driving, drug-impaired driving is also dangerous and illegal, and it’s an increasing problem on our nation’s roads. Always remember: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

Thanksgiving Safe Arrival

Beginning Monday, November 25, through Sunday, Dec 1, 2019 the Galena Police Department will join many other Law Enforcement Agencies across the state, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Kansas Thanksgiving Safe Arrivaltraffic enforcement campaign.  A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will underwrite overtime enforcement efforts that specifically aim at removing impaired drivers from our roads and ticketing vehicle occupants who are unrestrained or whose child passengers are unrestrained. 

            According to KDOT, which tracks all crashes in the state, the day before Thanksgiving sees more impairment-related crashes than any other day of the year.  Those driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs endanger not only themselves, but also others they share the road with – such as their passengers, other motorists and their passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians.  On average, across Kansas, three persons are injured every day, and one person is killed every four days in alcohol/drug-related crashes.  And the crashes tend to be more severe.  Vehicle occupants in alcohol- or other drug-related crashes are over 2 ½ times more likely to be injured or killed than those involved in crashes where alcohol or other drugs were not a factor.  

Each week across Kansas, over 250 drivers are arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence).  A DUI conviction will result in jail time, the suspension or revocation of driver’s license, a fine of $500 to $2,500, participation in an alcohol or other drug treatment program and, where alcohol is cited as a contributing factor, the purchase and installation of an ignition interlock device by the offender.  This device requires the offender to blow into a device that measures blood alcohol concentration prior to starting the car.  It’s embarrassing and a hassle.

            Also responsible for needless death and maiming is the failure by many teens and adults to simply buckle up themselves, or to properly buckle up child passengers.  Twice as many Kansans who die from a crash are unrestrained as are restrained.  Even worse is the fact that injuries suffered by those who are unbuckled are likely to be much more severe and disabling than injuries suffered by those who are buckled in.  This applies regardless of speed, and whether the occurrence is on a city street, a county road, or a highway. 

 “Keep in mind that if you are going to be drinking – don’t even consider driving home.  Arrange to ride with a non-drinking acquaintance.  Don’t let pride or concerns for your convenience endanger your life and the lives of innocent others.  Drivers always wear your seatbelt and don’t move the vehicle until each person riding with you is buckled in.  This is your best defense against death and injury, it is their best defense, and it is the law.   You will live with the consequences – good or bad – the rest of your life.  By always following these simple rules, you can preserve life – maybe your life – and certainly your cash.  You can safely arrive.”