With fewer Kansas Highway Patrol troopers patrolling the state’s highways, the number of tickets and traffic stops also has dropped.

That might seem like good news for drivers but safety advocates say the decline in troopers is putting motorists at risk.

The number of troopers has dropped 16 percent since 2008, leaving 409 officers responsible for more than 10,000 miles of state highways.

During those same years, the number of drunken-driving arrests declined 51 percent, and troopers wrote 31 percent fewer tickets.

Highway patrol officials say the agency is struggling to replace officers because of low pay, long hours and the resulting morale problems.

Highway Patrol Maj. John Eichkorn says the positions are not being left open to save the state money.

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Associated Press information from: The Kansas City Star