Kansas Highway Patrol troopers and local law enforcement organizations are stepping up their patrols this Thanksgiving holiday.
According to a news release from the Kansas Highway Patrol, they are participating in the annual Special Traffic Enforcement Program campaign, funded by a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Patrols will target impaired drivers, and focus on enforcing seat belt and child restraint laws, along with other traffic safety laws, according to the news release. The goal is to reduce fatal and injury crashes.
“The holiday season is often when we travel and visit with family, which means it is also the time to be safe on the roads,” Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson said in a news release. “This Thanksgiving holiday, KDOT would like to remind those on the road to buckle up, obey speed limits and traffic signs, and be responsible when behind the wheel so we can all have a wonderful holiday season.”
“Travelers using the turnpike should watch for signs directing them to the appropriate lanes for their payment method—cash at the tollbooth or with a valid, compatible transponder from Kansas, Oklahoma, or Texas,” said David Jacobson, KTA’s Director of Engineering. “Being alert is important to the safety of everyone on the road.”
KDOT and the highway patrol offered some advice for motorists leaving on a Thanksgiving trip:
• Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Check tires’ tread depth and air pressure; check the vehicle’s fluids, exhaust system, and other mechanical equipment. If traveling in winter conditions, make sure added precautions are taken for the cold weather.
• Check your route of travel for road conditions and/or construction work or other delays before you leave. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) provides a 511 road condition hotline for motorists to use. Call 5-1-1 from any phone, or visit www.kandrive.org to check roads in the state of Kansas.
• Remember, this is the peak time for car-deer crashes in Kansas. Look out for deer, and if you see one, remember they seldom travel alone.
• If you’re celebrating and consuming alcohol, make sure you designate a sober driver beforehand, and give them your keys. If you have no ride, call a taxi or a family member to get you home safely.
• If travelers are in need of assistance on a Kansas highway, or to report a suspected impaired driver, they should call *47(*HP) for the Kansas Highway Patrol, or dial *582 (*KTA) on the Kansas Turnpike. Dispatchers and troopers will both be working throughout the holiday weekend.