photo by: Douglas County Sheriff's Office

A Douglas County Sheriff's Office vehicle is pictured in January 2022.

With AAA forecasting Thanksgiving travel to exceed pre-pandemic levels, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging travelers to buckle up, use proper child safety seats and avoid impaired and distracted driving.

“We are glad to see people on the roads and hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving holiday,” Sheriff Jay Armbrister said in a news release. “The first step is to make sure you are able to reach your destination safely so you can celebrate with family and friends. Stay buckled up and avoid distractions. And avoid impaired driving any time you get behind the wheel.”

An enhanced patrol campaign will occur Nov. 21 to Nov. 30. The overtime patrols are supported by Kansas Department of Transportation grant funds as part of the “Thanksgiving Safe Arrival” campaign. It’s a public education and enforcement partnership with local and state police agencies aimed at increasing travelers’ compliance with Kansas occupant-restraint and impaired-driving laws.

Armbrister encouraged all drivers to arrange for a sober driver or a ride-service if they are out celebrating.

He added that during the busy deer season deputies continue to respond to several reports per day of vehicle-deer collisions on county roads and highways in Douglas County. Drivers are encouraged to be alert for deer especially from dusk to midnight and before and after dawn. Drivers should avoid swerving because crashing into another vehicle or rolling your vehicle can be more dangerous than hitting a deer.

The Thanksgiving enforcement campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with safety funds administered by KDOT.