2005-44
NEWS RELEASE:   November 16, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM:   The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT:   LT John Eichkorn 785-296-6800

Law Enforcement Strives for Safe Thanksgiving Travel

The Kansas Highway Patrol will strive for a safe travel weekend on our state's roadways this Thanksgiving. The Patrol and many other law enforcement agencies will participate in the Kansas Department of Transportation's (KDOT) Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) November 21 - 27 to help keep traffic-related fatalities and injuries low. During the 2004 Thanksgiving reporting period (6 PM Wednesday through midnight on Sunday), there were 873 accidents resulting in 138 injuries and eight fatalities. Of those total accidents, 49 were alcohol related, resulting in 14 injuries and three deaths.

The Patrol and the law enforcement community will focus on enforcing seat belt and child passenger safety laws and removing impaired drivers from our roads. Because of KDOT's STEP, there will be more troopers, deputies and police officers on the streets and highways during the upcoming busy period. STEP will fund overtime for troopers and other participating law enforcement officers who would normally be off duty.

Patrol Superintendent Colonel William Seck said, "Thanks to KDOT's STEP, additional officers will be on the roads to help enforce Kansas' DUI and occupant protection laws. Every motorist can also help by driving sober and defensively and by fastening their seat belt. If we work together, Kansans should have a safer holiday season."

State law requires every child under the age of four to be secured in an approved child safety seat. Every child under the age of 14 is required to wear a seat belt at all times, regardless of where they sit in a vehicle. Law enforcement officers may stop and cite drivers when they observe violations of this law.

For safe holiday travel, the Patrol reminds drivers to allow extra travel time, make sure vehicles are in good mechanical condition and watch for threatening weather. Updated weather and highway conditions are available by calling 511 in Kansas or 1-866-511-KDOT from out of state. Road conditions are available online at http://511.ksdot.org.