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.
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.