Memorial Day travels safety: KCPD says impaired driving is travelers’ biggest threat on the roads

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer travel season. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, there are a few things the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department says you should keep in mind before hitting the roads.

“It’s kind of the first weekend of summer for everybody, you know, and so it’s an extra day off, and extra day to get out and about,” said KCPD captain Jacob Becchina.

The Overland Park Police Department and several Kansas police agencies will be conducting a DUI check lane with the goal of cracking down on impaired driving and preventing alcohol-related accidents. As people embark on their celebratory trips, police urge people to remember not to let safety fall through the cracks.

“Still, the reminder for years and decades has been saying don’t drink and drive, now don’t smoke and drive. That is always worth saying, always worth reminding,” said Becchina.

Becchina says those not smoking or drinking have a part to play too. They have a responsibility to keep an eye on the drivers around them.

From the ground to the sky, others are traveling the airways.

“Definitely this time of year, you wanna give yourself more time,” said traveler Christina Focht.

The Kansas City International Airport reports that 300,000 people are expected to travel over the Memorial Day weekend travel period. This is an increase of 7% from last year.

“That’s our Super Bowl, all summer long, we’re having passengers fly in and out and we’re busy, really, for the next three months,” said KC Aviation Dept. director Melissa Cooper.

As more people get out, police will be out too. The department’s summer entertainment plan is in full effect where additional officers will patrol the city’s hot spots to prevent dangerous activity. They say upwards of 12 officers per entertainment district will be monitoring areas like the Power and Light District and its surrounding roadways.

In addition to regular patrols, officers are doing what’s called a ‘wolf pack’ where they choose designated parts of the city to look for evidence of impaired drivers and get them off the roads.

“Really just working to ensure the safety of everyone coming into or out of those areas,” said Becchina.

If you plan to smoke or drink, KCPD advises you to come up with a game plan for transportation like rideshares in advance.

“Whatever it costs, it’s less than the cost of somebody else’s life.”

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