In the past few days, the City of Wichita has experienced three traffic collisions that have resulted in the deaths of five community members. This high number of traffic fatalities in such a short period of time is alarming to the Wichita Police Department. Traffic safety continues to be a priority for the Police Department, and Officers are working diligently to identify preventive and proactive methods to reduce traffic collisions in Wichita.
As the Wichita Police Department continues its public education and enforcement efforts, it is asking that Wichita drivers enter a partnership with the Department in preventing traffic collisions.
"As a community, working together, I believe we can prevent traffic collisions and the unnecessary deaths of Wichita residents," said Wichita Police Chief Norman Williams.
Thus far in 2002, there have been nine deaths as the result of traffic collisions. Seventy-eight percent (7) of these individuals' deaths can be attributed to speed and subsequent loss of control of the vehicle that the individuals were either driving, or riding in as a passenger. The remaining 22 percent (2) of traffic deaths were attributed to driving the wrong way and failure to yield the right of way from a private drive. Compared to the same time period in 2001 (January 1 to April 2), there were five traffic collision fatalities in Wichita. Ninety percent (4) of those collision fatalities were attributed to excessive speed.
To assist the Police Department in preventing traffic collisions, Chief Williams is asking that the public take the following actions:
- Drive the posted speed limits
- Don't drink and drive
- Don't run red lights or stop signs
- Be attentive while driving your vehicle
- Buckle up all occupants (drivers and passengers)
- Don't tail gate other drivers
During 2001 and 2002, the Wichita Police Department has initiated various projects and activities that focus on traffic safety including:
- the Kellogg Traffic Safety Initiative
- partnering with the State of Kansas to focus on seat restraints and DUI
- Beat Officers and Traffic Officers coordinating efforts to address neighborhood traffic complaints (NOTE program)
The Department is in the process of purchasing 55 new radar units, which will allow all of the beat officer patrol vehicles to be equipped with a radar unit. As the result of a Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) Technology grant, the Department has been able to purchase additional radar trailers that will be utilized in neighborhoods as Officers respond to Neighborhood Oriented Traffic Enforcement (NOTE) complaints. The radar trailers have been ordered and should be arriving within the next few weeks.