The Kansas Highway Patrol is joining multiple other states ahead of the Labor Day weekend and during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, for the I-80 and I-35 High Visibility Enforcement Project. The Kansas Highway Patrol accepted a challenge from the Iowa State Patrol (whose state sits at the crossroads of I-35 and I-80) to join the effort. The goal of the enforcement is to reduce serious injury and fatality crashes on the nation’s interstates, combat criminal activity, as well as draw much needed attention to traffic safety. The enforcement will run Aug. 28 through Aug. 30.
“I-35 is a major thoroughfare that runs through Kansas, connecting us with major cities from as far south as the Texas/Mexico Border and north to Minnesota,” said Colonel Mark Bruce, Superintendent of the Patrol. “With a road that is so busy with all kinds of traffic, we want to encourage safe driving behaviors, through both education and enforcement efforts.”
During this border to border traffic safety initiative, the Patrol will have some of the agency’s troopers and motor carrier inspectors with efforts focused I-35. Additionally, specialty units within the Patrol will be dedicating time and special attention to the I-35 corridor, to include assistance from the Patrol’s Aircraft unit, Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, and Domestic Highway Enforcement Team, among other personnel.
Interstate 35 goes through six states, beginning in Minnesota and ending in Texas. Interstate 80 goes through 11 states, beginning in California, and ending in New Jersey. Each of these interstates serve as transcontinental corridors, and total more than 4,400 miles of roadway. A total of 16 states were asked to participate in the initiative. Eight of those states, or ½ of them record an average seat belt usage rate of only 82.04%, though Kansas’ rate is 86%. August is the deadliest month on I-80, and one of the deadliest on I-35.
This enforcement has the support of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) S&P Division, in addition to partners at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).