Be extra safe driving this week: Kansas highway patrol is ticketing for safety initiative
Kansas drivers may want to take less risks this week on the roads. There will be a lot more law enforcement watching over the highways as the state is observing Operation Safe Driver Week from now until July 16.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance started the yearly observance, and its goal is to reduce the number of crashes involving commercial trucks through:
Education
Traffic enforcement strategies
Interactions with law enforcement
Investigators with the Kansas Corporation Commission will be conducting inspections at weigh stations in Olathe at both north and southbound spots, and along other areas in Kansas. And Kansas Highway Patrol troopers will be out enforcing traffic laws.
KCC offers these tips for when you’re out on the highways and driving with large trucks:
Give them space and maintain a safe following distance.
Pass with care and don’t cut them off.
Stay out of the blind spots. If you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you.
Signal your intentions.
Focus on driving, not your phone.
Don’t drive when you’re tired.
Law enforcement will be looking for drivers in trucks or personal vehicles who are speeding, driving distracted, following a vehicle too closely, making an improper lane change or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Last year there were a total of 52 fatal crashes involving commercial trucks in Kansas, according to Gary Davenport, KCC Deputy Director of Transportation.
“That is the purpose of these initiatives, to educate everyone to be safe when traveling on the highways, whether they are in a commercial or personal vehicle. We want everyone to arrive at their destination safely,” Davenport said.
This story was originally published July 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
