KDOT

Labor Day is the unofficial end to summer and the kickoff to the fall season. There will be increased traffic for those getting in that last summer vacation or making a trip to their favorite football stadium, and the Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Department of Transportation focus on multiple safety measures for travelers. These organizations encourage drivers to:

• Check your vehicle’s condition: tire tread and pressure, fluid levels and mechanical equipment.
• Have an emergency kit, including bottled water, blankets, non-perishable food, chargers and a flashlight with batteries.
• Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination.
• Check road conditions before you travel by calling 511 or visiting kandrive.org, particularly in the instance of inclement weather.
• Have a designated driver for the ride home. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
• Buckle up. Every trip. Every time. Use the appropriately fitted child safety seats.
Travelers who experience a roadside emergency can dial *47 for the Kansas Highway Patrol or *582 while on the Kansas Turnpike for assistance. These same numbers can also be used to report a suspected impaired driver.

Law enforcement agencies across the state will be putting additional officers on the road during the holiday travel period. A grant from KDOT underwrites “You drink. You drive. You lose.,” a special traffic enforcement program from Thursday, Aug. 18 through Monday, Sept. 5. KHP personnel and local law enforcement will work overtime enforcements focused on combatting impaired driving and enforcing seat belt and child passenger safety laws.
In addition to regular road patrol duties, the Kansas Highway Patrol will be working several traffic enforcements over the course of the weekend. Click the image above for a list of counties and special programs.