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Check lane will be city’s first

By Lisa Scheller - | Sep 18, 2002

Tonganoxie’s first driver checkpoint will be held Tuesday.

Jennifer Daniels, an officer with the Tonganoxie Police Department, said the check lane will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. within the city limits. And, Daniels said, the police department plans to hold more checkpoints in the future.

Daniels stressed that the check lane is targeted at making sure underage drivers are complying with state regulations.

“We’ll be stopping vehicles and checking to make sure the driver is following restrictions,” Daniels said. “At that time we’ll also check for seatbelts, proof of insurance and current registration.”

If other violations are found, Daniels said, such as alcohol, drugs or minors in possession of tobacco, officers will issue citations or make arrests.

“We’re having a lot of problems with juveniles driving in violation of their restriction,” Daniels said.

“Instead of just driving to school or work, they are cruising town, going to Sonic and going to friends’ houses. That’s a violation of the restriction of their driver’s licenses.”

A restricted driver’s license allows a driver to go to and from school and to and from work.

“A lot of parents think it’s OK to run errands,” Daniels said. “It’s actually not.”

And, where seat belt usage is concerned, Daniels said all children under the age of 4 must be secured in a federally approved child safety seat. Children 4 to 14 must wear a seat belt.

The laws apply to all vehicles designed to carry 10 passengers or fewer. Fine for not wearing a seat belt is $20 plus court costs.

Daniels said she hopes the check lane will increase public awareness.

“It’s just to let the public know that we’re out there and we’re actively enforcing violations and trying to keep the roads safe,” Daniels said.