Traffic deaths related to alcohol consumption have dropped in Kansas over the past two years. The Department of Transportation released statistics showing the number fell 50 percent between 2010 and 2011, from 76 to 38. Alcohol-related accidents in general fell 12 percent from 2,801 in 2010 to 2,463.
The numbers haven’t been analyzed. Pete Bodyk, traffic safety manager for KDOT, told the Associated Press it’s too early to tell whether a new law, which took effect last July, is responsible. The statute requires those convicted of driving while intoxicated to have an interlock system attached to their starters. The gadget requires the driver to blow into it before turning the key. If it detects alcohol, it won’t start.
The law requires the interlock systems to be in place for six months after installed. Repeat offenders must keep them in place longer — 10 years for those with five DUIs.
Perhaps that’s part of the explanation. Heavy fines for the violation also are a strong incentive to turn the driving over to a sober companion. The fact that deaths dropped much further than the number of boozy accidents probably reflects more use of seat belts and safer cars.
Another difficult-to-measure factor: the average age of drivers continues to rise.
Then, if this election year didn’t offer so much evidence to the contrary, one could hope that people are getting a bit smarter.
— Emerson Lynn, jr.
