NEWS RELEASE: November 16 , 2006
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: LT John Eichkorn 785-296-6800
Trooper Edna R. Buttler
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 20-26 to help keep traffic-related fatalities and injuries low. During the 2005 Thanksgiving reporting period (6 p.m., Wednesday through midnight Sunday), there were 785 accidents resulting in 234 injuries and three fatalities. Of those total accidents, 49 were alcohol related, resulting in 32 injuries and one death.
The Patrol and the Kansas law enforcement community will focus on enforcing seat belt and child passenger safety laws, as well as 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, "The Kansas Highway Patrol is grateful to have a partnership with KDOT and to share a common goal of reducing highway accidents and saving more lives. Motorists will see an increased presence of law enforcement officers this Thanksgiving. You can do your part by driving sober, driving defensively, and fastening your seat belt. If we work together, Kansans should have a safer holiday season."
State law requires every child under the age of 4 to be secured in an approved child safety seat. Children ages 4 through 7 must be secured in a booster seat, and every child under the age of 14 is required to wear a seat belt at all times. 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.