Basketball season is in full swing with high school and college games scattered across the state. Big 12 games have brought an influx of traffic into Kansas this week. KU played Missouri in the Border Showdown on Monday, bringing traffic across the state line for the game. Fans across Kansas will travel this Saturday, Jan. 30, for the 6:00 Sunflower Showdown, as K-State plays host to KU at Bramlage Coliseum.
With the remainder of KSU’s single-game tickets sold out for this season, Manhattan will have extra traffic in town during the rest of the Wildcats home games this year. Next week, the Washburn Ichabods host the Fort Hays State Tigers, and then later in the season will face Emporia State and Pittsburg State Universities. KU plays Nebraska at home next weekend. Fans for all of these teams, and others, will be busy traveling the highways in Kansas to attend the basketball games that will continue through February.
With both Wildcat and Jayhawk fans converging on Bramlage Coliseum this weekend, the Patrol will have troopers assisting KSU Police Department. There will also be increased Patrol presence throughout Manhattan on Saturday, to help with traffic, and to help encourage safe travel by fans on both sides of the court.
With all the fan travel and traffic, the Patrol encourages travelers to:
• Leave early to allow plenty of time to arrive safely, so you aren’t rushed.
• Know where you are going and have a planned route of travel. If you are coming from out of town, check for road closures before you leave home. You can find information on the highways in Kansas at: www.kandrive.org/.
• Make arrangements for meeting early, before you go, this will keep your attention on the road, where it should be rather than on a phone call or text to make last-minute arrangements.
• If you’ll be drinking, designate a sober driver beforehand. Or make arrangements to spend the night with friends or family, or in a hotel. Never drive impaired!
• Pedestrians should double-check before entering the streets, and should watch for drivers who might not stop. Likewise, motorists should be prepared for increased pedestrian traffic, and should watch for people entering the streets.
• Motorists should always use their seatbelts and secure children in the proper child safety seat.
The Patrol hopes all fans and teams have safe travels to and from all sporting events this season!
Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.
Colonel Ernest E. Garcia
Colonel Ernest E. Garcia
About the Kansas Highway Patrol
- KS Highway Patrol
- Since 1937, Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers have offered Service, Courtesy, and Protection to the residents of the Sunflower State and to its millions of yearly visitors. More than 800 dedicated men and women are proud to serve the citizens of Kansas as members of the Patrol. They work hard and strive for excellence in public safety and traffic safety.