Wichita Police will be focusing enforcement efforts on those who feel a need to speed in Wichita around the Labor Day holiday. The traffic enforcement efforts are being funded by the 2003 Special Traffic Safety Enforcement Grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, and are part of the Wichita Police Department’s Comprehensive Traffic Safety Plan.
From January 1 through August 22, 2003, speed was a contributing factor in 55 percent, or six of Wichita’s 11 traffic fatalities. For the same time period in 2002, there were 24 traffic fatalities in Wichita and 13 of them recorded speed as a contributing factor.
“We are very pleased that our traffic fatalities are down this year, but if we’ve lost even one life, the number is still too high. The reduction in fatalities simply reinforces the notion that traffic safety enforcement works. The Department remains committed to traffic safety and we will continue our efforts to enforce traffic laws and make our streets and roadways safe for all motorists and pedestrians,” said Deputy Chief Tom Stolz, Field Services Division.
The following Traffic Safety Enforcement activities will be conducted in Wichita:
Patrol South: DUI check lane at 47th St. South and Santa Fe on August 29 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.; beginning August 24 Officers will be riding on school buses utilizing the Air Section and unmarked cars to cite motorists who fail to stop for school buses; Officers from this Bureau will also be monitoring the highway entrances and exits for speeders.
Patrol West: Speed enforcement on West 21st Street from Ridge Road to the City limits Aug. 29-Sept. 4; speed enforcement in the construction zone on West Kellogg; drag racing and DUI saturation Aug. 29-30.
Patrol North: School zone enforcement from 7-10 a.m. Aug. 29 and Sept. 2; speed and DUI enforcement Aug. 30-Sept. 1; speed enforcement Sept. 4.
Patrol East: School zone enforcement 7-10 a.m., Aug. 29, Sept. 2, Sept. 4; speed enforcement in the Kellogg and Woodlawn construction zone 7-10 a.m. Aug. 30; speed enforcement on 1800 S. Road and 900 N. Rock Road Aug. 31 and Sept. 1; speed enforcement on Kellogg and Oliver Sept. 3.
“This traffic safety mobilization focuses on speed reduction over the holiday weekend. Our efforts are geared to ensure that everyone who is traveling over the holiday slows down, drives safely and sober and enjoys the weekend,” said Sergeant Jerry Quick, Patrol West Bureau.
For more information on area traffic safety enforcement, please contact Sgt. Jerry Quick at the Patrol West Bureau 941-0673, Sgt. Robbie Davenport at the Patrol East Bureau 688-9331, Sgt. Rusty Leeds at the Patrol North Bureau 688-9500 or Sgt. Donnie Phelps at the Patrol South Bureau 337-9200.