Results of High Visibility Traffic Enforcement - January 28, 2011

On Friday, January 28, 2011, Overland Park Traffic Safety Officers conducted High Visibility Traffic Enforcement at the intersection of 123rd and Blue Valley Pkwy and the 8200 block of Mastin. Here are the results:

123rd and Blue Valley Pkwy

9 - Speeding
6 - Other
1 - Warrant arrest

82nd and Mastin

2 - Seat belt

High Visibility Traffic Enforcement Today

Today, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, Overland Park Traffic Safety Officers will conduct High Visibility Traffic Enforcement at the intersection of 123rd and Blue Valley Pkwy. Last year, 25 accidents occurred at this intersection. Officers will enforce all traffic laws, but will be especially alert for those violations that often result in an accident.

What To Do When Emergency Vehicle’s Are Approaching

Each year in the U.S., thousands of police and fire vehicles responding to emergency calls never arrive because they were involved in a motor vehicle accident. Did you know the second leading cause of law enforcement duty-related deaths are motor vehicle accidents? Here are some tips to help emergency vehicles reach their destinations safely.

When an emergency vehicle is approaching:

Stay calm.

Pull to the right and come to a complete stop.

If you are traveling on a high-speed road or there is no room to stop, slow down as much as possible.

If you are in the left lane, pull over into the right lane as traffic in that lane moves to the right.

If you cannot move to the right lane because of another vehicle or obstacle, slow and move the right as much as you can and stop.

When an emergency vehicle approaches you while you are stopped at an intersection, stay where you are unless you can pull to the right.

On a 4-lane highway or street without barriers, both sides of traffic should pull to the right.

Be careful when driving by or around a motor vehicle accident or any situation where emergency vehicles are parked and the firefighters are working.

Drivers should stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.

Never pass a moving emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights unless directed by a police officer.

Results of Yesterday's Accident Reduction Initiative

Yesterday, more than two dozen officers participated in the department's monthly Accident Reduction Initiative. Officers concentrated their enforcement efforts on Metcalf from 75th Street to 151st Street and College Blvd. from Westgate to Metcalf. Here are the results:

118 - Hazardous Moving violations
25 - Red Light
21 - Speeding
130 - Seat Belt
27 - Lane Change Violation
140 - Other violations
3 - Defective equipment
1 - Warrant Arrest
1 - Minor in possession of alcohol
3 - Other arrests

Total number of vehicles stopped: 319

Total tickets issued: 464

*The next Accident Reduction Initiative is scheduled for February 15, 2011

Business Robberies

January 25, 2011

Two Business Robberies

Overland Park Police Detectives are investigating two robberies that occurred over a span of two and a half days. Both were committed by a white female that is believed to be in her 20’s to early 30’s.

The first occurred on 1/19/11 at approximately 3:00 A.M. in the 9200 block of Santa Fe. The second occurred on 1/21/11 at approximately 12:00 P.M. in the 8900 block of 95th Street. No injuries were reported in either incident.

The suspect was further described as having long blond hair, weighing 115 to 130 lb’s and approximately 5’9” to 5’10”. The suspect left the scene in a green sedan, possibly a Honda or Hyundai.

Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 1-800-474-TIPS.

Accident Reduction Initiative

Tomorrow, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, the Overland Park Police Department will conduct its monthly Accident Reduction Initiative. More than two dozen officers from the department's Community Policing Section, TAC Section and Traffic Safety Unit will participate. Officers will be deployed in High Accident Locations, citing drivers for violations that often result in an accident. These violations include running red lights. following too closely, unsafe lane changes and aggressive driving. Officers will also be citing drivers and passengers who are observed not wearing their seat belts. Tomorrow's locations are as follows:

Metcalf; 75th Street to 151st Street
College Blvd.; Westgate to Metcalf

Results of High Visibility Traffic Enforcement - Tuesday, January 18, 2011

103rd and Metcalf

3 - Speeding
3 - Red light
1 - Failed to signal movement
11 - Seat belt
2 - Suspended/expired driver's license
6 - No insurance
1 - Expired tag
6 - Other

Total: 33 citations

151st and Metcalf

5 - Speeding
2 - Seat belt
1 - Red light
4 - No insurance
2 - Expired tag
1 - No valid driver's license
2 - Other

Total: 17 citations

Winter Weather Driving Tips

1. Be sure all occupants are "buckled up."
2. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop.
3. Brake gently to avoid skidding.
4. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility.
5. Use low gears to maintain traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Take extra caution on bridges and overpasses. They freeze quickly.
8. Don't pass snowplows and sand trucks.
9. Keep your windshield clean.
10. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Four-wheel drive is of little benefit on icy roads.

If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle, running your engine and heater for short intervals. Be sure to "crack" a window open to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.

High Visibility Trafic Enforcement

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

95th and US 69 Highway
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

151st and Metcalf
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

All traffic violations will be enforced, but an emphasis will be placed on Aggressive driving, Red Light violations and Speeding.

Top Ten Contributing Factors to Motor Vehicle Accidents in 2010

In 2010, 4428 crashes occurred in the City of Overland Park. An analysis of the accident reports revealed the following top ten contributing factors:

1. Inattention 1070
2. Failed to Yield 550
3. Following to Close 514
4. Too Fast for Conditions 371
5. Improper Lane Change 213
6. Under the Influence 186
7. Red Light Running 161
8 Improper Backing 117
9. Disregard Signs 103
10. Distracted Driver 96

More crashes occurred on Fridays (789) than on any other day of the week. The least number of crashes occurred on Sundays (361).

Traffic-Related Features of the City's Website

Did you know the number one concern identified on city surveys is traffic flow and congestion? The city is working hard to address these concerns. The city has made available to you several traffic-related resources on its website. The city's website can be accessed at www.opkansas.org. Click on Resident Resources and then Traffic & Transportation.

Here are just a few of the resources available to you:

Traffic Web Cameras
Gives you access to 80 cameras.

Interactive Road Closure Map
Helps you determine the best route when traveling in the city.
Shows all street closures within the city that last longer than 24 hours.

Traffic Volume Map
Shows traffic volume for select intersections and segments of roadway.

Alternate Transportation
Promotes healthy, environmentally-friendly modes of transportation, such as walking, biking and carpooling.

Related Links
US 69 Closures
Future Street Reconstruction Program
What's Happening in my Neighborhood
Interactive Projects Map

Detectives look for suspects of a warehouse burglary

Overland Park Police Detectives are looking for assistance in identifying the suspects of a warehouse burglary. The burglary occurred in the 9200 block of Bond Street, on January 4, 2011, at approximately 2:30 A.M.

Officers responded to the business on an alarm. When they arrived they found that someone had forced entry into the building, but were unsuccessful in taking anything (perhaps because of the alarm). The only suspect description at this time is 2 white males with medium to stocky build.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the TIPS HOTLINE and 816-474-TIPS.

Results of Yesterday's High Visibility Traffic Enforcement

Yesterday, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, Overland Park Police Department Traffic Safety Officers conducted High Visibility Traffic Enforcement at 95th and Metcalf.

Results are as follows:

2 - Red Light Violations
4 - Seat Belt Violations
3 - Expired Tag
3 - No Insurance
1 - No Valid License
3 - Truck Inspection Violations

9 - Vehicles Stopped

The next High Visibility Traffic Enforcement will take place on Thursday, January 14, 2011.

Results of Friday's High Visibility Traffic Enforcement

95th and US 69

5 - Red Light violations
1 - Failed to Yield
2 - No Insurance
3 - Other

75th and Metcalf

3 - Red Light violations
4 - Seat Belt
1 - Improper Turn
2 - Other


The next High Visibility Traffic Enforcement date is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 14, 2011.

High Visibility Traffic Enforcement

Today (1/7/2011) from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. and again from 5:00 P.M. to 6 P.M., Overland Park Traffic Safety Unit Officers will be conducting High Visibility Traffic Enforcement at the intersection of 75th and Metcalf. Officers will be enforcing all traffic laws, but will be focusing on aggressive driving and red light violations.

As a reminder, if you observe an aggressive driver, do not take matters into you own hands. Record the license plate information of the aggressive driver and report it to police. The non-emergency number for Overland Park Police department is 648-6200.

US-69 & 87th Street Ramp Set to Open in Johnson County

The northbound US-69 to 87th Street ramp is scheduled to reopen to all traffic on either Monday or Tuesday, January 10 or 11, weather permitting. This ramp was originally scheduled to open in mid-December 2010 but the opening was delayed due to damage caused by several vehicles that drove on the freshly poured ramp in an early December 2010 incident.

A 1,200-foot section of the ramp’s concrete surface was damaged in the early December incident. Crews first had to remove a damaged section, 800-foot long by 12-foot wide, and replace it with new concrete. For the remaining 400-foot section of damaged pavement, crews retextured the concrete surface as the damage in this portion was only minor.

Four accident reports related to the December 3rd incident were filed by the Overland Park Police Department. These accident reports have been submitted to the City of Overland Park Prosecutor’s Office for review of potential charges, no decisions have been made as of this date.

KDOT will announce to exact date and time of the ramp opening soon.

New law Bans Texting While Driving

Texting while driving has never been a good idea, but as of January 1, 2011, you can be ticketed. In addition to texting, the law bans instant messages and e-mails while driving. Research compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attributed an estimated 6,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries to distracted driving in 2008 alone. Exceptions to the new law include reading emergency traffic and weather-related alerts and to report a crime. If you can't resist the urge to check your email or instant message until you arrive at your destination, pull off of the road and stop before doing so. If there is a young, inexperienced driver in your family who has access to a cell phone, please share this message with them.

DUI Saturation Patrol Results

The Overland Park, Kansas Police Department conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol on Friday, December 31, 2010. The DUI Saturation Patrol was conducted with the intent to reduce alcohol-related auto accidents and discourage impaired driving. The DUI Saturation Patrol was enforced between 11:00 PM and 3:00 AM.

Results:

3 - DUI arrests
7 - Drivers tested for DUI
1 - Hazardous Moving violation
7 - Speeding
18 - Other tickets issued
3 - Lane Change violation
2 - Defective equipment
29 - Total vehicles stopped

The next DUI Saturation Patrol will take place later this month.

*There were 7 total DUI arrests from 12/31/10 – 1/1/11