MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Kansas Highway Patrol has released its Christmas Holiday Activity Report, detailing enforcement activity and crash data from across the state during the 2025 holiday travel period.
The reporting period ran from 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 28.
According to the report, troopers worked one fatal, non-DUI-related crash during the holiday period, resulting in one fatality. The crash occurred December 27 in Ellsworth County. No fatal crashes or fatalities during the reporting period were determined to be DUI-related.
Enforcement activity
KHP enforcement numbers showed a significant increase in activity in 2025 compared to previous years.
- DUI arrests rose sharply to 27, compared to 7 in both 2023 and 2024.
- Speeding citations increased to 769, up from 370 in 2023 and 227 in 2024.
- Speed warnings also climbed, with 784 issued in 2025, compared to 326 in 2023 and 309 in 2024.
Seat belt enforcement also saw an uptick:
- Adult seat belt citations totaled 50, more than double the 21 issued in 2023 and significantly higher than 14 in 2024.
- Teen seat belt citations increased to 5, up from 2 in 2023 and 0 in 2024.
Troopers issued 11 child restraint citations, compared to 9 in 2023 and 8 in 2024.
In addition to enforcement, KHP troopers provided 809 motorist assists during the holiday period, a sharp increase from 449 assists in 2023 and 218 in 2024.
Crash data overview
The crash data reflects that while enforcement activity increased, fatal incidents remained limited:
- Fatal DUI-related crashes: 0
- DUI-related fatalities: 0
- Non-DUI fatal crashes: 1
- Non-DUI fatalities: 1
In comparison, KHP recorded four non-DUI fatal crashes and fatalities in 2023, and one each in 2024.
KHP officials continue to emphasize safe driving behaviors, including obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, properly securing children, and avoiding impaired driving — especially during high-traffic holiday periods.