Drinking and driving? Not a good choice

Janell Blaufuss is often reminded of other people’s choices.

It was her father’s choice to go jogging early in the morning before heading to work. It was a driver’s choice to drink and drive. The two choices came together when a drunk driver hit and killed John Blaufuss in December 2005.  

“No Christmas has ever been the same,” Blaufuss said. “We were such a big, happy family who loved to get together. No one had more fun than my father. There are so many places that he is missing.”

Blaufuss spoke at a press event today announcing, “You drink. You drive. You lose.” enforcement campaign at Exploration Place in Wichita. Beginning today, through Monday, Sept. 5, drivers can expect an increase of law enforcement efforts looking for impaired drivers.

A display car, designed to warn against driving under the influence is parked at the Exploration Place in Wichita during a press event announcing the law enforcement campaign, “You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.” 

The Wichita Police Department is one of 150 law enforcement agencies that have partnered with the Kansas Department of Transportation to crack down on impaired drivers.

“Drunk driving in Kansas is one of the deadliest and most often committed crimes,” said Deputy Chief Gavin Seiler of the Wichita Police. “Law enforcement is highly-trained to identify impaired drivers and we will be out in full force to stop them. The safety of Kansans is our primary concern.”

Last year in Kansas, there were 2,291 alcohol-related crashes, with 75 fatalities and 1,300 injuries.

“Driving under the influence is more common than we care to admit,” Kansas DUI Impact Center Executive Director Andrie Krahl said. “It affects everyone on the road. It’s important to plan ahead for a safe ride home. Our judgement is not accurate when we are impaired and negatively impacts our ability to make decisions.”