Published: July 01, 2009 09:44 pm      

OHP, DPD gear up for holiday

Aim to ensure safety on the roadways

DUNCAN — As the star-spangled holiday approaches, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Duncan Police Department are stepping up their game to ensure safety on the roadways.

“This is one of our highest times for accidents,” said Capt. Bo Walker of the DPD. “Of course, all holidays show an increase due to traffic. Given this will be a weekend (holiday), people are more likely to party; watch for intoxicated drivers.”

Walker noted that while it is hard to tell whether or not drinking and driving will actually increase over the weekend, they may nevertheless be setting up a checkpoint or two to ensure safety.

“It depends on what’s going on,” Walker said.

Increased patrol on the roadways is something that both the DPD and OHP aim to do for the holiday weekend.

“We have no road blocks planned as far as DUI checkpoints,” said Lt. Stephen Kirk of the OHP. “However, we will definitely be increasing patrol.”

Kirk also noted that in Lawton, traffic will be “backed up around the Polo Field, with many people parking off the shoulder.”

“That’s an area to avoid,” Kirk said.

For Duncan, Walker noted that “81 through town is going to be an issue the night the fireworks show. There’ll be lots of traffic trying to get in and out (of the stadium). It usually runs pretty smooth, but there’s always lots of traffic.”

Another problem that stems from any major traffic increase is road rage; it’s a difficult one to pin down, due to the “blame game” nature of the incidents occuring due to it

“The main thing you want to avoid is antagonizing the other person,” Kirk said. “That’s where it mainly stems from. Cutting each other off, flipping each other off, those sort of things.”

“The best thing to do is not let your emotions take over,” Walker said. “Don’t get emotionally involved in it. It’s inevitable people are going to cut you off or turn in front of you; just don’t take it personally.”