NEWS RELEASE: May 22, 2006
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: LT John Eichkorn 785-296-6800
Trooper Edna R. Buttler
New Troopers Issued Patrol Vehicles
Addition to Force will Lend to Efforts to Ensure a Safer Holiday Weekend.
The Kansas Highway Patrol's 11 newest troopers received their patrol vehicles en masse today at the Patrol's fleet facility in Topeka. The troopers have completed field training with a veteran trooper and now will patrol Kansas' roadways alone in their newly issued Ford Crown Victoria patrol cars.
"Providing our officers with the safest and most reliable vehicles is important to officer safety, as well as the safety of the public," said Assistant Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel Terry Maple. "Placing these new troopers out on their own in these vehicles is an important part of the Patrol's mission to reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle crashes."
The new troopers are hitting the road just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday. Troopers working during the 78-hour holiday reporting period will strictly enforce Kansas laws, including laws pertaining to occupant protection, speeding and impaired driving. During last year's Memorial Day reporting period, there were 489 crashes reported in Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Those crashes resulted in 213 people injured and three deaths. Thirty-nine of the 489 crashes were alcohol-related and resulted in 43 people injured and no deaths.
The Patrol reminds motorists to plan their holiday travels making sure to be well rested before heading out. Sleepy drivers can be just as dangerous as intoxicated drivers. If your holiday plans include alcohol consumption, designate a driver who will not consume alcohol. And as Kansas law enforcement agencies participate in the ongoing "Click It or Ticket" enforcement mobilization, motor vehicle occupants are reminded to buckle up and to provide appropriate child safety restraining systems for children. Occupant protection is critical to lowering injuries and deaths associated with motor vehicle crashes.
Motorists needing emergency assistance while traveling in Kansas can reach Kansas Highway Patrol dispatchers with most cell phones by dialing *47 or *KTA (582) while on the Kansas Turnpike. R oad condition, road closure and weather information for the Kansas State Highway System and the Kansas Turnpike can be accessed by dialing 511 (land or cell). Callers outside of Kansas should use the toll-free number, 1-866-511-KDOT (5368).