The Kansas Highway Patrol will conduct a check lane beginning this Thursday evening. The check lane will go from Thursday, Oct. 31, into the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 1. The check lane will be set up at a location in Shawnee County.

The purpose for the check lane is to remove impaired drivers from the roads, and to deter drivers from operating a vehicle if they are impaired. Any driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be stopped and given field sobriety tests.

As always, the law enforcement community strongly encourages the use of sober designated drivers, and for everyone in the vehicle to buckle their seatbelts. Here are some tips if you are planning to go out to celebrate Halloween:

• If you plan to drive, do not drink.
• If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver beforehand and give that person your keys.
• Never ride with a driver who has been drinking.
• Take a list of phone numbers with you for cabs or friends to call for a sober ride home.
• If possible, plan to spend the night at the event.
• If you are throwing a party, provide non-alcoholic alternatives, and never let guests drive drunk.
• Report impaired drivers to your local law enforcement agency. You can call the Kansas Highway Patrol at *47 (*HP), or the Kansas Turnpike at *582 (*KTA).
• Always buckle up and properly secure children in their safety seats.