NEWS RELEASE: May 15, 2008
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: TechTRP Edna Buttler (785)296-6800
"Click it or Ticket" Reminds Motorists
KHP joins other agencies May 18-31 for increased enforcement
The Kansas Highway Patrol is joining other safety-minded organizations and reminding motorists on the highways and streets throughout the state to "Click It Or Ticket." Beginning May 18 and running through May 31, the Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will be increasing traffic enforcements, with additional officers on the roadways in the state to enforce occupant protection and other traffic laws. A partner in safety with the Patrol, the Kansas Department of Transportation, provided a grant for this additional enforcement.
"While Kansas seatbelt usage has increased to 77.3 percent in recent years, we are still behind the national average of 83 percent," said Colonel Terry Maple, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol. "Nearly one in four motorists in our state remains unrestrained. These people are risking serious injury or death should they be involved in a collision."
In Kansas approximately 135 law enforcement agencies will be participating in the annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign. The program is targeted at reducing the number of preventable deaths and injuries that occur when unbelted drivers and passengers are involved in traffic crashes. Troopers will be aggressively enforcing seatbelt, child restraint (including seatbelts and child passenger safety seat), speed, and impaired driving violations.
"The main goal and the reason the Kansas Highway Patrol participates in this initiative is to keep travelers safe on Kansas roads," Maple said. "If we can save a life by issuing a citation, or if we can educate the public through this program, our mission was successful."
Less than 40 percent of occupants killed in traffic crashes in Kansas in 2007 were wearing their seatbelt. In rural areas of the state, there are less crashes, however more fatalities come from crashes in rural areas. Statistically, rural areas in Kansas have lower seatbelt compliance than urban areas.