Keep an eye out: Parking lot safety is important

By Lisa Knoll

Southwest Kansas 

Public Affairs Manager

Think your holiday purchases are the only things that need extra protection during the holiday season?  Think again.  According to the National Safety Council, over 50,000 collisions occur in parking lots each year, resulting in 500 or more deaths and over 60,000 injuries.

Searching for a parking spot in a busy parking lot, which could be covered in ice or snow during the holidays is difficult.  Add to that the fact that 66% of drivers say they are texting, talking on the phone and checking their car’s GPS all while driving through busy parking lots.  Then add the distracted pedestrian who is texting, talking, taking selfies, posting, and it’s easy to understand how dangerous parking lots have become.

“Don’t let a parking lot incident spoil your holiday season”, said KDOT’s Traffic Safety Manager, Chris Bortz.  “It’s important that drivers not be lulled into complacency in a parking lot.  Even though speeds are reduced, there are still multiple hazards in a parking lot and it’s important for drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant at all times.”

As you head out this holiday season, and any other season, keep in mind these safety tips from the National Safety Council:

• Stay in lanes and avoid cutting across parking spaces
• Drive slowly and use directional signals
• Anticipate the actions of other drivers and pedestrians
• Obey stop signs and no-parking signs
• When backing out, be mindful of vehicles and pedestrians
• Watch for small children and parents with baby strollers
• It's best to conduct a quick, 360-degree walk-around your vehicle before backing, keeping an eye out for low-lying objects
• Don't rely completely on technology; look over your shoulder and use your mirrors as you back up
• When parking, pull through on arrival whenever possible, so that you can drive forward out of the parking space instead of reversing out of the parking space
• Respect handicap parking spots

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday shopping season.

Kansas Officials Urge Drivers to Avoid Distracted Driving

Texting, other distractions have led to thousands of crashes in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. — In 2017, 28 percent of all traffic crashes in Kansas were attributed to driver inattention or distractions. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and law enforcement agencies across the state are working to educate drivers of the dangers of driving while distracted. Kansans will see a multi-media campaign running to support these efforts.

While distracted driving is most often associated with cell phone use, many other situations can cause distractions in the car. Interacting with children, eating food, using other electronic devices, and even things happening outside the vehicle contributed to more than 16,000 distracted driving crashes in Kansas in 2017.

“Taking your eyes off the road to send a text is like driving blindfolded down a football field,” said Chris Bortz, Traffic Safety Program Manager for KDOT. “You wouldn’t risk driving blindfolded, yet we see people on their phones or eating or putting on makeup every day on our roads.”

Many people may not know that distracted driving can be a ticketable offense in Kansas. For example, any texting, social media or internet activity on your phone can lead to a minimum $60 ticket plus court costs. However, the worst result of distracted driving would be to cause an injury or death.

“We are facing an epidemic. Too many people are injured or killed due to inattention on our roads. Distracted driving crashes are 100 percent preventable,” said KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Protecting yourself, your passengers and other Kansans is as simple as putting the phone down and avoiding all other distractions in the car.”

Law enforcement officers also encourage Kansans to “just drive” when they are behind the wheel. If your attention is anywhere other than the road, you’re driving distracted, and you’re driving dangerous. Drivers can minimize distractions by turning off electronic devices and keeping both eyes on the road ahead at all times. They also encourage passengers to hold their driver accountable and to not be a distraction themselves.

Ring in the new year...safely!

This time tomorrow will be a brand new year! We know you will be you are celebrating 2019 tonight. And whether it is with your family, a night on the town with friends or a small get together at someone’s home, We want to remind drivers and passengers to be responsible while enjoying the festivities. Here are some tips to enjoying the holiday responsibly:

• Never drive or ride with someone who is impaired or drowsy.
• If you plan to consume alcohol, have a plan in place before you go. Know what you’ll do for a ride home, whether it is a ride service, public transportation, a designated driver or finding a place to stay. If you do consume alcohol:
• Give someone your keys.
• Don’t drink to impairment.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
• Take the night off and serve as a designated driver for others.
• Have an emergency kit in your vehicle and your phone charged in case of car trouble.

If you need help on a Kansas highway, call *47 for the Kansas Highway Patrol or call *KTA (*582) for the Kansas Turnpike Authority. 

National teen driver safety week

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2016, teen driver deaths increased 6 percent from the previous year.

To raise awareness about six driving dangers, KDOT is participating in National Teen Driver Safety Week and would like to remind teen drivers:

Don’t drive while impaired: Although teens are too young to legally drink, they still are at risk for driving under the influence. Nearly one out of five teen drivers involved in crashes resulting in a fatality had been drinking, the NHTSA found When it comes to drinking and driving, it’s just not worth it.

Buckle up — every trip, every time. It doesn’t matter where in the vehicle you are sitting, everyone should wear their seat belts. It is one of the easiest ways for teens and their passengers to travel safer and buckling up saves lives. 

Ditch the distractions. Distracted driving is not only dangerous, it is deadly. That text message or social media post can wait. Your life is way too important to risk it. Remember that distracted driving can look like many different things – talking to other passengers, listening to music, turning up the heat or air conditioning and eating. These are just a few of the distractions that all drivers experience.

Go the speed limit. Speeding is a huge problem for drivers of any age., Almost one-third of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding, the NHTSA found.  Following the speed limit could mean the difference between life and death.

Passengers can affect how you drive. The likelihood of teens engaging in risky driving behaviors or being distracted increases with multiple passengers.  As the driver, you control the mood of your trip. Limit the number of passengers who ride with you or tell them how they can ride safely in your vehicle.

Driving drowsy is dangerous. Everyone is busy, even teens. With sports, studying for tests, extracurricular activities, jobs and even hanging out with loved ones, there is a lot going on in the lives of young drivers. With all these important tasks, the amount of sleep young motorists receive is far less than what is needed to drive safely. Remember to get a good night’s sleep before you get behind the wheel. Only drive when you are fully awake and alert. 

Parents, and guardians, it is up to all of us to teach the next generation the importance of driving safely. Lead by example and show your teens what safe driving behavior looks like.

For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week please visit: www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.

Remove the "A word:" Crashes are not accidents

By Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager

Annually, about 60,000 crashes occur in Kansas.  This equates to more than 150 crashes each day in the state.  Four of the top five contributing circumstances listed on the crash report are driver-related behaviors.  The contributing circumstances surrounding a crash are typically: speeding, too fast for conditions, failure to yield at a stop sign or stop light, following too closely, texting and/or other distraction.  All these factors are 100% preventable. The decisions that every driver makes not only impact themselves and their passengers, but everyone else on the road.

Using the word ‘crash’ instead of accident more accurately identifies the event - it doesn’t give the perception that no one was at fault. The word ‘accident’ implies no one was at fault or it couldn’t have been prevented. That is a pretty hard pill to swallow if you were the victim in a crash and the other driver was going too fast for conditions and/or was distracted. 

You may have noticed that I didn’t include the circumstance of ‘impaired or drunk’ in the paragraph above.  Choosing to drive impaired is a horrible, conscious decision and the ramifications of this decision lead to around 100 deaths, 1,300 injuries and 2,300 crashes in the this state every year.  In Kansas, You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.

I don’t believe that people get behind the wheel and say “I think I will injure or kill someone in a car crash today.”  Just because it was not intentional, doesn’t mean it couldn’t have been prevented.  Most drivers rate themselves as great drivers and will say the problem is the other driver(s).  However, driving is a privilege, not a right, you are sharing the road with all drivers and it is important for you to drive as if your life depends on it.  Oh wait, it just might.

On the Drive to Zero fatalities, you are in the driver’s seat.

KDOT launches Red Thumb Challenge for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April

 The Kansas Department of Transportation is launching the Red Thumb Challenge to raise awareness of the risks of distracted driving. Throughout April, everyone is invited to participate by simply painting a thumbnail red and sharing their support of the initiative on their favorite social media platform using #RedThumbChallenge.

“Every single day, you see it on the roads. You notice someone veering into your lane or driving slower than everyone else, only to see that driver looking at their phone and not focusing on the road,” said Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Distracted driving has no place on our roadways. Not only are you putting you and your passengers in jeopardy, but you’re endangering others as well.”

By painting a thumbnail red, it serves as an instant reminder not to text while driving. Participants are encouraged to challenge everyone they know who gets behind the wheel to take the Red Thumb Challenge pledge.

Distracted driving is an increasing danger - since 2011, vehicle crashes in Kansas known to be related to cell phone distractions have increased by 31 percent, and fatalities have doubled. In 2016 alone, 633 car crashes were the result of a cell phone distraction. Of these, 267 people were injured and seven people were killed.

In addition to the Red Thumb Challenge, KDOT has created a special lock screen image to download on cell phones. The signature red screen reminds users not to use their phone while in motion.

Bortz continued, “Whether you’re male or female, teen or adult, all are invited to take a stand against texting and driving by participating in the Red Thumb Challenge.”

To join the challenge, post an image of your red thumb with the hashtag #RedThumbChallenge on your favorite social media platform. For the Red Thumb Challenge lock screen, other participation tools and more information, please visit @DriveSafeKansas on Facebook.