KHP Participates in annual Memorial Day Step Campaign

The peak of summer travel across our nation’s highways is about to begin. The Kansas Highway Patrol will be working additional hours from May 23 until June 5. This additional coverage comes thanks to funding from the Kansas Department of Transportation through the STEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program) campaign, to help motorists reach their destinations safely.

“The Patrol is dedicated to helping save lives on Kansas highways. We will enforce the state’s seat belt and child safety seat laws, as a way to help prevent fatalities on our roads. One death is one too many,” said Colonel Mark Bruce, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The STEP program allows officers to work overtime hours, providing extra manpower on the roads and focusing on areas such as occupant protection, enforcing impaired driving laws, enforcing the state’s texting laws, and other traffic safety issues. This year’s focus of the Memorial Day STEP campaign is, “Click It. Or Ticket ,” encouraging seat belt/child safety seat use for occupants of all ages.

Over the 2015 Memorial Day holiday reporting period for the Patrol (KHP stats only), troopers worked three fatal crashes on Kansas’ roads, which killed four people. None of the crashes were alcohol-related. Patrol personnel arrested 18 people for impaired driving. Personnel also assisted 922 motorists who needed help on Kansas roads.

“Memorial Day is a celebration of the great men and women who have lost their lives serving this great country, and also marks the beginning of summer vacation season nationwide. The KHP and all of our law enforcement partners remind all Kansans to buckle up, every trip, every time,” said Lieutenant Adam Winters, Patrol public information officer. “We would also remind everyone to make plans in advance for a sober driver. Law enforcement will also be out looking for those drivers who made the wrong decision to drink and drive.”

The Patrol wishes all of those traveling during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and throughout the summer, safe travels. If you are in need of assistance on a Kansas highway, you can call KHP for assistance at *47 (*HP) or *582 (*KTA) for the Kansas Turnpike.