Wanting to stop the growing trend of impaired drivers on our streets, the Merriam Police Department will increase enforcement this weekend.
April 20 is known as “Weed Day” among law enforcement agencies. According to the Journal of American Medicine Association, there’s historically a 12% increase in traffic deaths on April 20 after 4:20 p.m.
“We’re drawing attention to 4/20 because it’s become a drugged-driving epidemic,” Capt. Troy Duvanel said. “We will issue citations to anyone who’s not obeying our traffic laws.”
On Friday and Saturday, Merriam officers will ticket anyone who’s driving impaired, speeding, texting, or who's not properly buckled up. The Merriam Police Department is joining agencies across six states – Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oklahoma – looking for impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.