PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — Police across the state are spending the next two weeks targeting what they call the most aggressive forms of driving.
The push doesn’t officially start until Monday, February 23, but the things officers are looking for are driving basics. Things police say you should be doing yourself, and teaching your kids.
Speeding, texting while driving and failing to buckle in are three big “no-no’s” for people behind the wheel. Prairie Village Police and law enforcement agencies across the state are tasking officers with being extra-vigilant when patrolling, looking for those things, especially around schools. That’s because they say many teens start driving this time of year.
Officers say they will write tickets to anyone they stop who is speeding, texting behind the wheel, or failing to buckle up. Police say the push both reminds drivers of the rules and hold people accountable.
Officer Adam Taylor said, “They should work together, with the education of knowing right from wrong, and the consequences that happen.”
Shelly Freeman is a mother of two; one in middle school, and a 17-year-old son who just started driving.
“The more that teenagers especially see that law enforcement is out, law enforcement is here to help us, guide us in the right direction, they’re not here to hassle you. They’re here to enforce the law. And the law is no texting and driving, wear your seatbelt, and go the speed limit,” said Freeman.
Last year, 34 teenagers died in car crashes in Kansas. More than half of them were not properly restrained. That’s almost three dozen kids who won’t ever graduate college, get married or raise their own families. Officers say the risk just isn’t worth it and that’s why they’re doing this initiative.
Additional video:
