By Trish Svoboda

With the 4th of July holiday approaching, it’s time to remind drivers of the importance of not drinking and driving. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the Drive to Zero (DTZ) coalition, along with law enforcement agencies are collaborating in this initiative. Safety reminders and extra enforcement will be in place from July 1-7.

“Besides being illegal, driving impaired puts anyone in your vehicle or your path at risk for a crash resulting in serious injury or death,” said KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman. “And with many Independence Day activities taking place at night, impaired drivers increase the risks even more.”

In 2023, KDOT reported that 65 fatalities occurred out of 2,140 alcohol-related accidents. This number is down from 2022, where 95 alcohol-related fatalities were recorded.

Kansas’ legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08%. Anything above that by law is considered impaired. KDOT and DTZ want to remind everyone that buzzed driving is drunk driving.

Herman stated that simply planning ahead by designating a sober driver can be the difference in avoiding a DUI and potential jail time, let alone placing lives in jeopardy.