TOPEKA, Kan._ Every November, the Kansas Highway Patrol ties red ribbons to agency-owned vehicles to show the agency's zero tolerance toward impaired driving. The Patrol will display the red ribbons throughout the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays.

These ribbons memorialize the lives lost due to alcohol-related tragedies. Crashes involving drug and alcohol impaired drivers effect everyone drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and others traveling on the roadways. These crashes have severe consequences that are long-lasting, said Colonel Terry Maple, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

We display red ribbons on our vehicles during the holiday season to heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving, and we invite the public to join us in this effort.

According to Kansas Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), approximately 20,000 individuals are arrested annually in Kansas for impaired driving. Statistics compiled by the Kansas Department of Transportation show there were 3,366 alcohol-related crashes in 2008, resulting in 131 deaths and 1,999 injuries.

During the 2008 Thanksgiving reporting period (from 6 p.m. the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving through midnight Sunday following the holiday), there were 62 alcohol-related crashes that resulted in three deaths and 46 injuries. During 2008 Christmas reporting period (from 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve until midnight the Sunday following the holiday), there were 45 alcohol-related crashes, 15 of which resulted in injuries. There were no alcohol-related fatalities. During the 2007/2008 New Year’s reporting period (from 6 p.m. the Friday prior to the holiday until midnight on Tuesday, New Year’s Day), there were 47 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 26 injuries and two deaths.

The Patrol reminds motorists not drink and drive, and do not let your friends or family members drive while impaired. If you consume alcohol, call a friend, family member, or taxi service for a sober ride home, or make plans to have a sober ride home before going to holiday parties.

Motorists concerned that another driver might be impaired can use their cell phone to dial *47 (*HP) on Kansas highways or *582 (*KTA) on the Kansas Turnpike to reach the nearest highway patrol dispatcher. The Patrol encourages all motorists to tie a red ribbon to an antenna, side mirror, or door handle, pledging to drive safely, and not while impaired. Red ribbons are being distributed at the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Troop Headquarters throughout the state. If you are unable to get one from the Patrol, any 18-inch strip of red ribbon will show your support.