By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The Kansas Highway Patrol sees an increase in traffic every Labor Day weekend and, unfortunately, an increase in alcohol-related car accidents and deaths, as well.

According to Kansas Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Tod Hileman, holidays during the warmer month of the years,  such as the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day are statistically more dangerous.

“Everybody is trying to get that last-minute holiday squeezed in,” Hileman said. “Traditionally, this is a weekend where we Kansans tend to mix a lot of alcohol with this celebration — so watch out for drunk drivers.

“If you happen to see someone you think might be intoxicated, they can always dial 911 or they can dial *47 — that will get them to the closest KHP dispatch.”

However, Hileman urged drivers to pull over before using a cellphone.

“We really do see a lot of people driving down the road who are concentrating on something else completely —  cellphone, GPS, whatever —  and it really does does effect their driving quite a bit..makes not only them a hazard out there, but potentially could cause harm to them,” Hileman said, reminding everyone to buckle up as well.

“(The seatbelt) is your best protection if you are in a crash,” he said.

Hileman said the KHP, along with the Hays Police Department and law enforcement across the state, also will be on the lookout for drunk drivers as they are all participating in the Kansas Department of Transportations Special Traffic Enforcement Program, otherwise known as STEP, which provides extra funds to put more officers on the highways.

“We will be out in full force this weekend,” Hileman said.