There are more alcohol related crashes on Friday nights in West Wichita than any other time during the week, according to the Wichita Police Department’s most recent statistical data. The number of alcohol related collisions occurring on Friday nights are double the number that occur on the second seeded spot - Saturday nights, according to Sgt. Jerry Quick, Traffic Sergeant in the Wichita Police Department.
In response to these numbers, the Department will be conducting DUI saturation patrols on Friday, March 14 between 10 PM and 2 AM. Efforts will be concentrated in two main areas in the Patrol West Bureau – the 18 Beat, which runs along Kellogg and covers most of the area from Central and Ridge to the city limits; and the 12 beat, which runs along Kellogg from the river west to Meridian.
“We had six fatal traffic accidents on these two beats during 2002, and of those six, three were deemed alcohol-related,” said Sgt. Quick.
“If you plan to celebrate on Friday night, or anytime during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, then take two seconds to designate a sober driver to get everyone home safely,” said Sgt. Quick. “For those drivers who don’t heed the warnings, our Officers will be on the streets making DUI arrests.”
DUI saturation patrols are concentrated enforcement efforts that target impaired drivers by observing moving violations such as reckless driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and others. Unlike DUI check lanes, saturation patrols are spread over a larger geographic area and motorists are evaluated on an individual basis because certain behaviors have been displayed to Officers while the vehicle is in motion.
This DUI Saturation is just one aspect of the four-prong approach that the Department is using in addressing traffic safety in the city of Wichita. The four aspects of traffic safety include education, enforcement, environment and awareness. Funding for this enforcement effort was made possible though an Impaired Driver Deterrence Grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation.
For more information, please contact Sgt. Jerry Quick at Patrol West, 941-0673.