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.

When it comes to safety, even the pros stay on track

“Drivers start your engines!”

These four words will signal the start of NASCAR’s version of the Super Bowl, The Daytona 500, on Sunday. And at least 43 engines will roar to life as fans both in the stands and at home cheer their favorite driver on.

While these high-tech racing machines are built for entertainment, NASCAR drivers don’t take safety lightly. In fact, anyone who has ever climbed into a regular vehicle can learn a lot from these athletes. Here are a few tips on how staying safe during a NASCAR event compares to everyday driving.

Before drivers even start their engines, they are strapped in to their seats with their safety harnesses. 

Although the safety belt system in a race car is a bit different from a normal vehicle’s seat belts, you won’t see a NASCAR driver go around the race track without it. The safety restraint in a NASCAR vehicle is actually a five-point harness that is designed to help keep the driver in their seat and slow down with the car at the same time. Do what the pros do. It is important to buckle up every trip, every lap and every time.

Driving a race car requires total concentration. 

Contrary to popular belief, those are real athletes inside a race car. Being a good athlete requires total focus.  Every lap counts and at times, NASCAR events have lasted more than six hours. If a driver were to get distracted, the consequences could be life-threatening and costly. 

When you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, try to treat each trip as important as a NASCAR driver would during a race. Checking text messages or changing the radio station at the wrong moment puts your life and others at risk. Focus on driving and avoid all distractions.

Race cars need to be ready for long-haul. 

Some races require drivers to race around the track for more than 500 miles. That’s farther than a road trip across Kansas. During these long events, cars could be exceeding 220 miles per hour. That puts a lot of pressure on these racing machines. NASCAR teams have to understand what the mileage does to the important components of their vehicle such as the engine or tires. In fact, the tires are checked and changed regularly during an event to avoid devastating losses should one of the tires blow during high speeds. 

While teams do their best, it is inevitable that something could malfunction at any time during the course of the race. The same could be said for anyone who takes a road trip to a fun vacation spot, or just down the road to Grandma’s. Anything can happen and the best way to be prepared is to ensure that your car is up-to-date on fluid changes, tire rotation and checkups.

There are plenty of other lessons that can be learned from watching professional racing. But if you follow these tips, you could be well on your way to the winner’s circle.

What are some other tips that you have seen while watching auto racing? Let us know in the comments! 

For more racing fun, check out this Throwback Thursday video when Kansas native, Clint Bowyer gave a PSA for S.A.F.E. in 2014. 

Are you addicted?

It’s a common message: “Don’t Text and Drive.” The dangers of texting and driving are real and yet; lives are still forever changed when that split-second glance behind the wheel turns that smart phone into a dangerous weapon.

With all the warnings and advisories filling our airwaves why is it so hard for us to drive distraction free?
Scientists and psychologists may have an answer to that. 

The Science:
Inside our brains lives a little compound called “Dopamine.” It is what gives us the drive to pursue the things we love such as eating, hobbies, and romance. According to Psychology  Today, Dopamine is also responsible for various addictions that we deal with on a daily basis. For some of us, if our bodies were like vehicles, Dopamine would be the pilot.

The Psychology:
Over 100 years ago a Russian Physiologist, Ivan Pavlov, made a huge behavioral discovery: classical conditioning.  Using dogs and food he was able to deduce that they would start drooling anytime he or his assistants entered the room, even if they didn’t have food. The dogs’ brains were hardwired to expect a reward, (food)  when they saw lab coats. Pavlov further tested this process when he struck a bell at meal times. Eventually, he struck the bell without food and the dogs still salivated.

Mixing it together:

Dopamine, the reward center of our brains, mixed with the classical conditioning combines to what we deal with on an everyday basis: Technology addiction. When the message alert goes off on our cell phones, we immediately respond. Dopamine levels rise, and we get a “reward” when we pick up our phones. Remarkably, there are times when we want to be rewarded so much that we look at our phones without the alert, and expect something to happen. 

Studies have shown that when the alerts go off anxiety levels rise if they can’t be answered right away. If cell phones are left at home or lost, withdrawal symptoms are reported. Some would even say that they couldn’t live without their phones and for many, this is a reality. These tiny devices hold our schedules, our contacts, important information and there are even apps that save lives. As a society, our phones connect us to the world around us, and for many, that connection is just too strong to ignore.

All of these things combine to make texting and driving a serious habit that is hard to break.  Even with all these behavioral and scientific answers, it is still wise to turn your phone off or on silent, tuck them away, watch the road, and drive.  It can wait. 

When's the time to play?

Think before you throw: 

The unforeseen challenges of 'Pokemon Go!'

KDOT would like to remind all Pokemon trainers to stay alert and safe. Always be aware of your surroundings. 

Illustration by Mallory Goeke

Fans of the Pokemon franchise have heard the phrase “Gotta Catch ‘Em All!” for nearly 20 years and now, they too, can begin their journey to catch and train over 100 different types of this animated monsters. For the past week, Pokemon trainers of all ages have been playing a brand new game released by Niantic and The Pokemon Company called “Pokemon Go.”

Using GPS on a smart phone, the game leads players on a journey around their communities to actually search for and find these powerful creatures. The game creators encourage taking long walks and interacting with others to catch, train and eventually battle on their quest.

While this game has brought many benefits to its players, such as encouraging them to get off the couch and go outside, exercise and explore. It has also created a new cause of distracted driving. 

Law enforcement across the country are cautioning players to wait to play the game when they are not behind a wheel. They are also encouraging players to not walk and play at the same time, as this can result in unsafe situations.

As exciting as this game is for many players, we would like to remind you to play it smart and safe. Your Pokemon will thank you for it.