‘Way too many people going way too fast’: KHP official talks speeding issues on Kansas highways

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A top official with the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) sat down for a one-on-one interview with 27 News to talk about people traveling at extreme speeds on the state’s highways.

KHP Captain Candice Breshears spoke with KSNT 27 News Anchor David George on Monday, March 4 to talk about the latest issues law enforcement is tackling on Kansas’ highways. At the top of the list, Breshears said speeding is one of the more pressing problems being faced by the KHP in the present day.

“Speed has been a hot topic for several years and it’s something that KHP has been tracking and trying to enforce because there are just way too many people going way too fast out on our highways,” Breshears said.

The wreckage left behind after high-speed crashes caused by speeding, including the damage done to people’s lives in the process, was another point highlighted in the interview. One statistic Breshears cited was the number of speeding citations the KHP has issued since 2020; a whopping 200,000 with 12,000 for those who were found to be going above 100 mph.

“People just really need to slow down and use more caution out there on the roadways so everyone can get where they need to go safely,” Breshears said.

Aside from the dangers posed to other motorists due to speeding on Kansas highways, traveling above the speed limit also presents a threat to KHP troopers trying to perform their duties. Breshears said there have been many recent situations where troopers came close to being hit or were injured by speeding vehicles. Breshears mentioned a recent incident near Wichita where a trooper was almost struck head-on.

Breshears said the KHP will put more troopers on the roads to enforce traffic laws for Spring Break this year. The law enforcement organization is also looking to hire more help in 2024. You can learn more about open positions with the KHP by clicking here.

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