Drivers may want to slow down, put their phones away and concentrate on the road, as the Overland Park Police Department Traffic Unit has begun conducting a new traffic enforcement initiative on Monday.
Where exactly? Officer John Lacy, a spokesperson for the Overland Park Police Department, said the enforcement initiative is taking place near West 135th Street and U.S. 69 Highway, and includes the surrounding area.
Being aware: Lacy said traffic enforcement officers are looking for “aggressive drivers.”
- This involves drivers who are speeding, texting and driving, following too close and making red light violations.
Why? The goal of the traffic enforcement is to reduce accidents within this area, Lacy said.
- Although OPPD did not provide exact data, he said the department has seen an increase in crashes in this portion of the city.
- “Interstate 435 and Metcalf is still our number one high accident location,” Lacy said. “We will be back at that intersection in the near future, but citizens also reached out and requested enforcement in this area.”
Time frame: Lacy said the police department has not set an end date for the traffic enforcement initiative, nor does OPPD usually put an end date in these traffic complaint areas.
- He said the department will most often be in the area during high traffic times.
Key quote: “Please pay attention to the roadway at all times and slow down,” Lacy said. “These two actions alone will reduce crashes which is our goal in Overland Park. Most of the accidents in Overland Park are caused by distracted drivers, not just at this location but throughout the city.”