Celebrate the Fourth of July with these safety tips in mind

Kansans will hit the road and celebrate the Fourth of July with their loved ones. It is also close to the halfway point in the 100 Deadliest Days, the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day where more teens are involved in crashes. 

The Kansas Department of Transportation, The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Turnpike Authority  want to encourage travelers to plan ahead to and be prepared for their trips and celebrations.

From June 30 to July 4 last year, there were 549 crashes with seven people killed and 159 people who were injured.

Before travelers pack their cars, they can check their route for delays or construction with the help of KanDrive at www.kandrive.org, which can also be accessed from mobile devices. KanDrive includes camera images and interactive maps, as well as links to rest areas and travel and tourism sites.

Here are some additional safety tips to help travelers get the most of their Fourth of July celebrations and summertime fun:

• Begin a trip with a full tank of gas and a fully charged phone.
• As you travel, remember to move over for first responders and highway maintenance crews. If you are unable to move over, then slow down.
• Keep emergency supplies in your car, including bottles of water, a phone charger and non-perishable food items.
• Confirm that everyone in your vehicle is using their seat belt and/or an appropriately-fitted child safety seat.
• Before you consume alcohol designate a sober driver ahead of time.
• If you’re hosting a party provide non-alcoholic drink alternatives for guests who don’t plan on drinking or who are designated drivers. 

If you are involved in a crash or need assistance on a Kansas highway, call *47 (*HP) from a cell phone for a highway patrol dispatcher, or if on the Kansas Turnpike, dial *582 (*KTA). 

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Travel, celebrate Independence Day Safely

Many Kansans are planning to hit the road and celebrate the Fourth of July with family and friends. The Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Highway Patrol encourage travelers to plan ahead and make their trips and celebrations as safe as possible.

Nationally, AAA is projecting that 44.2 million Americans will travel during Independence Day weekend, with 3.34 million of those in this region. This year is projected to be the most-traveled Independence Day holiday ever. Cheaper gas prices are likely a contributing factor to the high number of holiday travelers, with airfares and car rental rates also lower than our last Independence Day.

“AAA would like to remind drivers to be sure their vehicle and the passengers are road trip ready,” said Jennifer Haugh, AAA Kansas spokesperson. “Eliminating distractions and impairment, plus buckling up, will help motorists avoid tragedy.”

KDOT and KHP remind travelers not to drink and drive. Law enforcement agencies from across the state will be actively watching for impaired drivers.

“As travelers take to the highways throughout the holiday weekend there are steps they can take to make it to their destination safely,” Kansas Highway Patrol Lt. Adam Winters said. “Any time you ride in a vehicle, buckle up and make sure children are in the appropriate child safety seats. For those planning to drink over the weekend, designate your sober driver before you celebrate. We want people to enjoy the festivities, but we also want them to be safe.”

Before travelers pack their cars, they can check their route for delays or construction with the help of KanDrive at www.kandrive.org, which can also be accessed from mobile devices. KanDrive includes camera images and interactive maps, as well as links to rest areas and travel and tourism sites.

Much of the same information can be accessed by calling 5-1-1 in Kansas or 1-866-511-KDOT (5368) in the U.S.

If you are involved in a crash or need assistance on a Kansas highway, call *47 (*HP) from a cell phone for a highway patrol dispatcher, or if on the Kansas Turnpike, dial *582 (*KTA). 

Motoring Monday: Fourth of July celebrations



Fireworks light up the sky in Wamego.

Hundreds of Fourth of July celebrations will be taking place across Kansas this weekend as well as next Monday. Celebrations in northwest, north central, northeast, southwest, south central and southeast  Kansas are highlighted below.

Goodland’s 4th of July Freedom Festival – The cattle drive begins at 4 p.m. east of Goodland. Then other events will start at 6 p.m. at the Sherman County Fairgrounds and will include carnival rides, live entertainment and food before the fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. on July 4.

Salina’s Skyfire! Fireworks Display - A free concert will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the East Crawford Rec Area on July 4. The flag lowering and taps by the American Legion Riders will be shortly after 9 p.m.  Fireworks show will start at 10 p.m. 

Wamego Fireworks Show – Lots of events will be happening all day on July 4 around Wamego with a city carnival, car show, hot wheel races, ice cream and cake social, vocal and band concerts and parade leading up to the fireworks at the Recreation Complex at 10 p.m.

Dodge City’s Old Fashioned Fourth –  During the afternoon and early evening on July 4 at the Boot Hill Museum, there will be a watermelon feed, a seed spitting contest, a gunfight reenactment and games for the kids with a concert starting at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks will then be at Memorial Stadium at 10 p.m.

Derby Independence Day Celebration – During the evening on July 4, the celebration at High Park in Derby will include music, an ice cream social and kids’ activities with the fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m.

Fort Scott’s 4th of July – The fireworks will take place at the Fort Scott Community College about 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. Then on Monday, July 4, there will be a parade and other activities taking place in Fort Scott throughout the day.