NEWS RELEASE: January 29 , 2008
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: TechTRP Edna Buttler (785)296-6800
Troopers Focus on Occupant Proctection and Child Safety
The Kansas Highway Patrol is joining law enforcement agencies across the state in focusing on occupant safety and child passenger safety in February. The Patrol is participating in the Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation, from February 11 through February 17, 2008. Through STEP, troopers, deputies, and police officers who normally would be off duty will be working overtime during the special enforcement period.
"Celebrate Valentine's Day with the ones you love by wearing your seat belt and properly securing children in safety seats," said Patrol Superintendent Colonel William R. Seck. "The simple decision to wear your seat belt and to encourage others to do the same could save the life of someone you love."
According to KDOT, 60 percent of the 468 people killed in traffic-related crashes in 2006 were not wearing seat belts. That number dropped from 70 percent of the fatalities unbelted in 2005.
Effective January 1, 2008, the state's occupant protection laws were amended to require all drivers and occupants ages 17 and under to be buckled up at all times, regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle. This is a primary law, which means a driver may be pulled over and each violator cited solely for the seat belt violation.
For younger passengers, follow the 4 Steps for Kids:
- Use rear-facing safety seats in the back seat from birth to age 1 and 20 pounds.
- Use forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age 1 and 20 pounds to age 4 and 40 pounds.
- Use booster seats in the back seat from age 4 to at least age 8 – unless the child is taller than 4'9" or weighs more than 80 pounds.
- Use seat belts in the back seat at age 8 and older.