Law enforcement agencies in Kansas and around the country are taking part in the annual impaired driving enforcement campaign.

The Kansas Department of Transportation and several law enforcement agencies are teaming up to increase enforcement of impaired driving between December 21st and December 31st.

Last year, 17 percent of crashes in December in Kansas were alcohol related and 885 people in the United States were killed in traffic crashes in the during the same time period.

Trooper Sean Hankins with the Kansas Highway Patrol said the holiday season increases the amount of people travelling on the roads.

“Also, I think people relax a little bit. They're off work, they're maybe taking vacation, they've extended their weekends,” Hankins said. “I think people have more time to hang out with friends and family and that increases their chances of consuming something they shouldn't when they get behind the wheel."

But Hankins said it doesn’t just have to do with alcohol. A 2014 survey done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that, as many as 1 in 4 people have an impairing substance in their system.

“That doesn't mean that they're impaired by that impairing substance, but they have they have the potential to be impaired if they take too much of it,” Hankins said.

He added that, with recreational marijuana spreading across the country, there has been a significant increase in marijuana impaired drivers.

“It's only a matter of time before science catches up and we realize that we've started another epidemic," Hankins said.

Law enforcement also urge the importance of having a plan before going out. Have a designated driver or use a ride share app. The NHTSA also has a SaferRide app that can help you find a safe way home.

You can download it on the

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