Overland Park Sees Drop in DUI-Related Deaths

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The number of DUI-related deaths and arrests is down in Overland Park.

In 2010, Overland Park police made 950 DUI arrests. Last year, the number lowered to 701. Police are happy to report these numbers because less arrests translates directly to less alcohol-related deaths on the road.

In fact, the numbers are down across the country. The number of drunk driving deaths has been cut in half since 1980, when Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was founded. John Douglass, the Overland Park Police Chief says MADD has helped bring down the national and local numbers tremendously by supporting tougher DUI laws and penalties.

Douglass says other key elements to the decline in OP are local education campaigns and hard work by officers.