More winter weather is predicted for this weekend. Last weekend a number of disastrous crashes involving multiple vehicles occurred in the eastern region of the state. It is important to point out a few things that are vital to your safety when traveling in adverse conditions.
Plan your trip! Check current weather conditions, the forecast, road conditions at www.kandrive.org. When driving in adverse conditions (rain, snow, fog), turn on your headlights, not only so you can see, but so others can see you. Kansas law states headlights must be on when visibility is less than 1,000 feet, and when windshield wipers are in continuous use.
When traveling, be mindful of the conditions. If it suddenly starts snowing or raining, the probability for a roadway to be slick or to have slick spots is greatly increased. You should slow down! If you know adverse weather is approaching, plan to leave early allowing yourself additional time to arrive at your destination.
Another vital lesson on winter roads is to increase your following distance between vehicles! If you lose control of your vehicle or the driver ahead loses control of their vehicle or makes an avoidance maneuver, increased following distance affords you time to regain control or make an avoidance maneuver yourself to possibly avoid a crash.
Multi-vehicle crashes present a huge challenge to everyone involved, not just those who were part of the crash. Law enforcement and emergency personnel must care for the injured, extricate trapped passengers, coordinate the crash investigation, record witness statements, keep a record of where injured persons were transported, summon wreckers, and keep a record of where the vehicles were transported. All of this while closing highways and rerouting traffic for the safety of emergency workers and crash victims.
Driving in winter conditions, especially in Kansas takes a lot—preparation, caution, and patience. Keeping these things in mind when you travel, whether it’s just to work or on a trip, will help keep you, your family, and emergency personnel safe. If you need some winter driving safety tips and ideas what to equip your car with, you can visit our website at: www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/press/brochures/winterdrive.pdf.
Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day upon us, there is no greater gift you can give your loved ones than the simple act of wearing your safety belt, and requiring your passengers to buckle up before beginning your trip.
Far too often Troopers and other law enforcement officers are called to the scene of a tragic crash, only to discover vehicle occupants were severely or fatally injured when such tragedies could possibly have been avoided if the victims would have simply taken the time to wear their safety belts.
This Valentine’s weekend, before you begin your travels to visit loved ones or go out on the town for a special evening, take a few seconds to buckle up. It could make the difference between life, death or a serious injury if you become involved in a traffic crash!
Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.
Far too often Troopers and other law enforcement officers are called to the scene of a tragic crash, only to discover vehicle occupants were severely or fatally injured when such tragedies could possibly have been avoided if the victims would have simply taken the time to wear their safety belts.
This Valentine’s weekend, before you begin your travels to visit loved ones or go out on the town for a special evening, take a few seconds to buckle up. It could make the difference between life, death or a serious injury if you become involved in a traffic crash!
Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Super Bowl
This weekend, the Colts will play the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. While the game may be held in South Florida, Kansans will also celebrate the day, many meeting friends and family to cheer on their favorite team. The Super Bowl is often an occasion for parties and drinking.
If you are planning to have a Super Bowl party at your home, there are ways to make the occasion a safe one. Plan ahead of time for guests who may be impaired to stay at your house. Have your guests hand over their keys when they arrive. As a host, you should make sure you or a guest stay sober so friends and family can get a safe ride home. It’s easier to stay sober to give someone a ride, than to make the drive to pick them up in jail after they receive a DUI, or worse, they are involved in a serious traffic crash. Make sure your get together offers plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives for drinks.
Another important thing that’s often forgotten by hosts: Kansas’ Social Host law. Social hosting is providing and/or serving alcohol to a young person who is under the minimum age of 21. It can take place in a party-like atmosphere or by any adult simply providing alcohol to young people and their peers for them to drink. It can even extend to parents and homeowners who are not on the premises and/or did not provide the alcohol. Penalties for breaking this law include possible jail time, fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, and civil lawsuits. Social hosting also sends a message to teens telling them it’s okay to drink.
If you’re planning to join the festivities from a bar-like setting, make sure you have a sober designated driver, someone willing to pick you up, or bring cab numbers with you to call for a safe ride home. Check in your community to see if any businesses or colleges offer a safe rides program.
Regardless of how you plan to celebrate the Super Bowl, and regardless of who wins, make sure you and your loved ones have a safe trip—Drive safe, Sober and Buckle Up. Here’s hoping everyone has a fun, and safe weekend!
Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.
If you are planning to have a Super Bowl party at your home, there are ways to make the occasion a safe one. Plan ahead of time for guests who may be impaired to stay at your house. Have your guests hand over their keys when they arrive. As a host, you should make sure you or a guest stay sober so friends and family can get a safe ride home. It’s easier to stay sober to give someone a ride, than to make the drive to pick them up in jail after they receive a DUI, or worse, they are involved in a serious traffic crash. Make sure your get together offers plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives for drinks.
Another important thing that’s often forgotten by hosts: Kansas’ Social Host law. Social hosting is providing and/or serving alcohol to a young person who is under the minimum age of 21. It can take place in a party-like atmosphere or by any adult simply providing alcohol to young people and their peers for them to drink. It can even extend to parents and homeowners who are not on the premises and/or did not provide the alcohol. Penalties for breaking this law include possible jail time, fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, and civil lawsuits. Social hosting also sends a message to teens telling them it’s okay to drink.
If you’re planning to join the festivities from a bar-like setting, make sure you have a sober designated driver, someone willing to pick you up, or bring cab numbers with you to call for a safe ride home. Check in your community to see if any businesses or colleges offer a safe rides program.
Regardless of how you plan to celebrate the Super Bowl, and regardless of who wins, make sure you and your loved ones have a safe trip—Drive safe, Sober and Buckle Up. Here’s hoping everyone has a fun, and safe weekend!
Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.
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