On June 30, 2010, officers throughout the state began enforcing Kansas’ new seatbelt law by writing citations. The two days prior to the enforcement date were tragic days on Kansas roads. On June 29, 2010, eight people lost their lives in five separate crashes, and numerous injuries were suffered by others involved. On June 30, two more people died in two separate crashes. The one commonality these crashes had? None of those who died were wearing a seatbelt.
Numerous public safety advocates, including the Kansas Department of Transportation and many law enforcement agencies, supported the passage of House Bill 2130 (the Primary Seatbelt Law), this past legislative session. Some people consider this just another way for officers to issue a ticket, but in reality, it has nothing to do with citations, and everything to do with safety.
Nationally, Kansas ranks as one of the lowest states for seatbelt usage. In 2008, 69.4% of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes on Kansas’ roadways were not properly restrained. How could this number have been affected had these people simply buckled up before they got on the road? From 1998-2008, there were 4,352 deaths on Kansas roads in traffic crashes. Of those who were killed, only 1,296, or 29.8% were properly restrained. Kansas is below the 2009 national average of seat belt use, which was 84%. The promising news is that statistically, states with stricter seatbelt laws see the usage of seatbelts increase. In Kansas, this will help save lives.
As a law enforcement agency, our troopers have worked so many fatality crashes where the person most likely would have survived had they been properly restrained. Unbelted vehicle occupants are often ejected from the vehicle, or partially ejected. They risk the vehicle rolling over onto them, or coming to rest on their body once they are ejected from the vehicle. Some mistakenly think that if they aren’t buckled, a vehicle’s airbags will save them. Airbags in a vehicle are designed to work with a seatbelt, not replace it. If you’re thrown (because of no seatbelt) into a rapidly opening airbag, the force could injure or kill you.
Kansas troopers are serious about enforcing the new Primary Seatbelt Law. During the Memorial Day holiday weekend, troopers issued 154 seatbelt citations to adults and seven seatbelt citations to teens. Then, over the July 4th holiday weekend, after the passage of the primary seatbelt law, troopers issued 728 seatbelt citations to adults and 39 to teens.
It is our hope that with the passage of the Primary Seat Belt Law, all Kansans will buckle up…not just because it’s the law, but for their own personal safety, and the safety of their family and friends.
Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Safe Travels Urged Over the July 4 Holiday Weekend
Communities across the state of Kansas are preparing for their annual Independence Day celebrations. Families are packing up items for road trips. Others are planning for get-togethers. Whatever your plans are for the July 4 holiday, the Kansas Highway Patrol is wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. There are things for people of all ages to take into account to improve their safety during Independence Day weekend.
Holiday weekends bring extra travelers to the roads, and it’s always important that you are cautious and practice defensive driving. Extreme weather can be harsh on vehicles. You should ensure that your car is adequately prepared and serviced for the trip. There are some things a driver can easily check to help ensure a safer trip: engine air filter, windshield washer fluid, tire pressure, tire tread, battery, engine coolant, and windshield wiper blades. Identify repair shops that are near where you are traveling, in the event you have a problem, you will know where to go. Additionally, you should check your route of travel ahead of time for current road work and other problems you may encounter. To check roadwork in Kansas and other states, go to: www.kandrive.org. If you should need assistance while you are on a highway in Kansas, you can dial *HP (*47) from a cell phone to reach the Highway Patrol, or *KTA (*582) for the Kansas Turnpike Authority.
Holiday celebrations are often paired with drinking. It’s imperative to ensure you have a sober designated driver beforehand if you will be consuming alcoholic beverages at any party or event. If you do plan to drive, make sure you don’t drink, and take plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives with you. Law enforcement will be working the road this holiday weekend, and will be strictly enforcing the DUI laws. If you feel “buzzed,” don’t risk it, find a sober ride home instead.
The consequences of impaired driving can affect you for the rest of your life. You can injure or kill yourself or others if you drive impaired. Oftentimes, innocent motorists die at the hands of an impaired driver. Always use a sober designated driver or don’t consume alcoholic beverages and drive.
During the 2008 4th of July reporting period (78 hours-Running from 6:00 p.m. Thurs., July 3, until 12:00 midnight Sun., July 6), there were two fatal crashes, both of which were alcohol-related. Two people were killed in those crashes. There were 425 total crashes that weekend, 128 of which were injury crashes (207 people injured). There were 41 total alcohol-related crashes, which injured 32 people.
With a busy holiday weekend on the roads, its important motorists remember, and adhere to Kansas occupant protection laws. With the passage of Kansas’ new primary seatbelt law, all vehicle occupants are required to be buckled up, and children are required to be in the proper child safety seats. Drivers can now be pulled over if either them, their front seat passengers, or children are not properly restrained.
Holiday weekends bring extra travelers to the roads, and it’s always important that you are cautious and practice defensive driving. Extreme weather can be harsh on vehicles. You should ensure that your car is adequately prepared and serviced for the trip. There are some things a driver can easily check to help ensure a safer trip: engine air filter, windshield washer fluid, tire pressure, tire tread, battery, engine coolant, and windshield wiper blades. Identify repair shops that are near where you are traveling, in the event you have a problem, you will know where to go. Additionally, you should check your route of travel ahead of time for current road work and other problems you may encounter. To check roadwork in Kansas and other states, go to: www.kandrive.org. If you should need assistance while you are on a highway in Kansas, you can dial *HP (*47) from a cell phone to reach the Highway Patrol, or *KTA (*582) for the Kansas Turnpike Authority.
Holiday celebrations are often paired with drinking. It’s imperative to ensure you have a sober designated driver beforehand if you will be consuming alcoholic beverages at any party or event. If you do plan to drive, make sure you don’t drink, and take plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives with you. Law enforcement will be working the road this holiday weekend, and will be strictly enforcing the DUI laws. If you feel “buzzed,” don’t risk it, find a sober ride home instead.
The consequences of impaired driving can affect you for the rest of your life. You can injure or kill yourself or others if you drive impaired. Oftentimes, innocent motorists die at the hands of an impaired driver. Always use a sober designated driver or don’t consume alcoholic beverages and drive.
During the 2008 4th of July reporting period (78 hours-Running from 6:00 p.m. Thurs., July 3, until 12:00 midnight Sun., July 6), there were two fatal crashes, both of which were alcohol-related. Two people were killed in those crashes. There were 425 total crashes that weekend, 128 of which were injury crashes (207 people injured). There were 41 total alcohol-related crashes, which injured 32 people.
With a busy holiday weekend on the roads, its important motorists remember, and adhere to Kansas occupant protection laws. With the passage of Kansas’ new primary seatbelt law, all vehicle occupants are required to be buckled up, and children are required to be in the proper child safety seats. Drivers can now be pulled over if either them, their front seat passengers, or children are not properly restrained.
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