KHP 2022-24: Safety Stressed for Labor Day Holiday
The Kansas Highway Patrol encourages everyone to plan for a safe Labor Day Weekend. The Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. Troopers will be on the roadways enforcing Kansas laws, and also available to assist motorists.
The Patrol is participating in the annual Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) You Drink. You Drive. You Lose campaign. For this enforcement, Kansas Department of Transportation has provided funding for our troopers to work overtime so we can have more law enforcement officers patrolling the roadways to help reduce the number and severity of crashes.
“As the summer travel season comes to a close, the Kansas Highway Patrol will be working to ensure our travelers make it to their destinations safely. As you celebrate the upcoming Labor Day weekend, we urge everyone to play it safe and have a sober driver or use a rideshare service if you will be drinking,” said Lieutenant Candice Breshears. “If you are traveling and suspect another motorist may be impaired, please dial 911.”
If you’re traveling for the Labor Day holiday, the Patrol offers the following tips:
- Always wear your seatbelt every trip, every time. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
- Check your vehicle’s condition, including tires, fluid levels and mechanical equipment.
- Check road conditions at kandrive.org to look for construction or delays on your route.
- Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination.
- Buckle up and make sure your children are in the appropriately fitted child safety seats.
- Have an emergency kit in your vehicle with essentials such as water, flashlights, chargers, blankets and non-perishable food.
- Always have a sober driver before you drink alcohol away from home or take a sober ride to and from the location if you will be consuming alcohol. Remember, this is your decision.
- Before you take a new prescription medication, check your medication for driving warnings.
- Before you choose to drive after drinking, know that Kansas Ignition Interlock laws require that any driver convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) must install an Ignition Interlock Device, including an electronic log device, on every vehicle you own or which is registered to you.
- Before you choose to drink and drive, think about your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.
The Patrol wishes safe travels to everyone traveling the state’s roadways. If you need assistance on a Kansas highway, call KHP for assistance at *47 (*HP), or for those traveling on the Kansas Turnpike, call *582 (*KTA).
CONTACT: LT Candice Breshears, KHP PIO, 785-296-6800
