Mobile operations also require safety to be priority

A crash in a mobile work on the turnpike is shown above.

By Andrew Booth, Safety Coordinator at the Kansas Turnpike Authority

At KTA, many of our daily maintenance tasks utilize a work zone called a mobile operation. These are used for short-duration projects, usually under an hour, such as barrier wall repairs, temporary pothole patching, camera cleaning, striping, and sweeping. Because the work moves with the crew, so does the work zone.

A typical mobile operation includes a minimum of three vehicles:

·       A shoulder shadow truck with an arrow/message board to provide early warning.

·       A lane shadow truck, in the lane where the work is taking place, with an arrow board and crash attenuator (a device designed to absorb impact).

·       The work vehicle with flashing lights which carries the crew and equipment.

So, why use mobile operations? Because they provide two important advantages.

1.     The safety of the workers. Traditional lane closures require several signs, arrow boards, and thousands of feet of cones – often taking longer to setup than the actual work. A mobile operation setup eliminates much of this and reduces the amount of time the men and women on the crews spend in live traffic.

2.     They minimize delays for drivers. Because the closure moves with the operation, lanes can reopen faster. This greatly reduces congestion and helps traffic keep flowing.

But mobile operations still face serious risks. Even with multiple layers of protection, including early warning trucks and signs, crash attenuators, and an abundance of flashing lights, our crews remain vulnerable to the decisions drivers make behind the wheel. In the last few years, several KTA attenuator trucks have been struck, including three during mobile operations.

·       June 17, 2024 - West of Lawrence on I-70

A semi hauling a box truck veered into the closed lane, striking the rear crash attenuator, rolling onto its side before coming to a rest in a field. The driver later admitted he was looking at directions.

·       November 6, 2024 - I-35 near the Oklahoma border

After merging into a lane closure at 55 mph, a car attempted to pass prior to the lane taper and took out several traffic cones before hitting a KTA truck. The driver said they were in a hurry and thought they could make it.

·       July 29, 2025 - South of Topeka on I-335

KTA crews noticed a semi fly by at full speed and radioed a warning to the KTA trucks ahead, but the semi crashed into first truck. Skid marks showed the driver braked only moments before impact.

In each case, our crews were fortunate to walk away with minor injuries. Next time we may not be so lucky.

Whether it’s distracted driving or being in a hurry, the consequences can be life changing. Today, and every day, drivers need to make choices to protect the people behind the cones and trucks. Put the phone down. Slow down. Move over. Stay alert. Our crews depend on it, and so do the people waiting for them at home. 

 

Slow down and let’s get there

 

By Clint Shepard

Clint Shepard

This isn’t your typical work zone incident story. Our crews are the ones on the scene when an incident happens to help with traffic control and keep things moving safely through the area. But the same rules of slowing down and paying attention in a work zone apply to an incident area.

 Last July I was doing traffic control just north of El Dorado Lake for an accident that had happened earlier. It had been raining all day so there was a lot of moisture still on the road.

 I had been there for about 15 minutes when a kid who had cruise control on hydroplaned as he approached me. Because we were on a curve, I don’t think he saw me until the last second which caused him to crank his wheel and spin out. As he spun, his passenger side hit my back passenger side bumper practically ripping the side of his car off.

 After we made contact, his car went into the ditch. But because his cruise control was still on and he was unconscious, he came back up on the road and hit the barrier wall, which finally stopped him.

 He was incredibly lucky it happened the way it did. Lucky he was the only one in the car. Lucky his airbags deployed.  Lucky he was able to walk away from two collisions with only a concussion when nothing was there to protect him when he hit the barrier wall.

Driver's vehicle

I feel lucky too. I was only thrown into the steering wheel of my truck and had some back pain. Had he hit me square in the back of my truck, he probably wouldn’t be here, and it could have been worse for me too.

When he came to a stop, I got out to check on him and a lady came running up who happened to be a nurse. She was able to stay with him while I began traffic control again to keep oncoming traffic moving through the area. It was definitely a right place at the right time moment.

With my truck wrecked on the outside shoulder, his car against the barrier wall and being on a curve, it was really important to keep traffic moving carefully through the area, especially since I didn’t have my typical lights to alert approaching drivers. It was a dangerous situation until a trooper was able to arrive and assist with his lights.

Shepard's truck

The reports later stated that based on the skids, he was probably going around 80 miles per hour. When you’re going that fast, things can happen in an instant. One curve can change everything. 

This incident isn’t as unique as it may seem. Our guys talk all the time about how people aren’t paying attention to the road, whether we’re shutting down lanes for road work or working an incident like this. People are more focused on filming an incident or what’s on their phone than slowing down and driving safely. We’re out here risking our lives and don’t want to get hit or work an incident you were involved in.

People overestimate their ability to multitask while driving – whether it’s in weather conditions, a work zone or even on a normal day. I don’t know when the last time I truly saw people’s eyes instead of the back of their phone. My biggest message to drivers is to just pay attention and use good judgement. We all want to get home. So slow down and let’s get there.

 

Clint Shepard is the Highway Maintenance Foreman for the Kansas Turnpike in Cassoday.

 

This is why it’s important to move over

By Caleb Provo

I was only eight months into my job at the Kansas Turnpike when my vehicle was struck on July 9, 2019. In less than one year, I already have a moment I’ll look back on and be grateful it didn’t end up a different way.

Last summer, I was with our crew doing our annual paint striping at mile marker 8.8, which is just north of the Oklahoma border. I was sitting in a dump truck with an attenuator attached to it. This was blocking the passing lane of the roadway. And a different vehicle was behind me informing traffic of the lane blockage.

Things were proceeding as normal, when I saw it out of my side mirror. In a quick instant, I see a semi that hadn’t moved over coming right at my tail end! There was no way the driver could stop in time, and he tried to—unsuccessfully—squeeze between me and the barrier wall to avoid a collision.

Ultimately, the semi driver ended up crashing into the back end of my attenuator, and I radioed to our teams that I had been hit. Then things got even crazier. A piece of metal from the attenuator broke off and pierced my fuel tank, which in and of itself is a dangerous situation.

However, to make matters worse, the impact also caused the semi to catch fire. I’m glad I was there in that moment and uninjured because I helped the driver, and his wife who was with him, out of the on-fire semi. They wanted to try and save their belongings, and I told them, “Stuff is replaceable, you aren’t.”

It’s good they got out when they did. I tried using an extinguisher on the semi, but within a matter of minutes, it was completely engulfed in flames. In less than 20 minutes, the entire thing was destroyed. You could barely recognize it.

Still to this day, I don’t know exactly why they didn’t move over, but I’m so glad this incident didn’t end up worse than what it was. Please, take a lesson from this — pay attention, read signage and move over for roadway workers. Our lives truly do depend on it.

 

Caleb Provo is a Structures Worker for the Kansas Turnpike Authority in Wichita

Kansas kids win poster/video contests, focus on improving traffic safety

Von Woleslagel of Hutchinson's poster was a statewide winner in the 11-13 year-old age group.  

Statewide winners of two contests have been announced as part of the national safety campaign Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.

For the poster contest – Quincy Coup of Hope, Emma Kuhlman of Topeka and Von Woleslagel of Hutchinson are the statewide winners. Each student was selected as a regional winner and will receive a bicycle donated by the Kansas Turnpike Authority and a helmet donated by Safe Kids Kansas at presentations at their schools. A total of 434 Kansas kids ages 5 to 13 participated.

Emma Kuhlman of Topeka, was the statewide winner in the 8-10 year-old age group. 

As statewide winners in their age categories, they will also receive a Kindle Fire tablet from the KTA, a $50 gift card from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas and movie passes from AAA Kansas along with a $200 donation to the school, class or booster club. 

Quincy Coup of Hope's poster won in the 5-7 year-old age group. 

For the video contest – Students from Lansing High School won first place. They will receive first choice of an iPad, GoPro or DJI Osmo Pocket along with a $500 donation to the school, class or booster club, donated by the KTA.

Students from Eudora captured second place, and students from Shawnee Mission West High School placed third in the video contest. Each will receive one of the remaining prizes listed above. There were 35 entries from teens across the state. To see the winning videos, go to https://bit.ly/2ANyoHk

Organizations that work together on this safety campaign include the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Turnpike Authority, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, AAA of Kansas, Kansas Contractors Association and the Federal Highway Administration – Kansas division.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is a nationwide effort to increase roadway safety and reduce all traffic fatalities. For more information and a list of all the winners across Kansas, go to www.ksdot.org and click on the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day information.

Be prepared for Independence Day and summer travel

Summer travel is heating up across the country and many people will celebrate this holiday weekend by hitting the road and traveling to - and through - the Sunflower State. The Kansas Turnpike Authority and Kansas Highway Patrol and The Kansas Department of Transportation are partnering to remind motorists to travel safely during Independence Day, and throughout the rest of the summer.

From July 3 through July 5, KHP personnel will be working in support of the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) enforcement, along with personnel from other states. C.A.R.E. focuses on occupant protection, impaired driving laws, and other crash-causing traffic violations. C.A.R.E.’s goal is increased safety and ease of travel on our nation’s roadways.

Being prepared for any summer travel is a big factor in keeping your trip running smoothly,” said Steve Hewitt, Kansas Turnpike Authority CEO. “For our travelers on the Turnpike, if you find yourself needing roadside assistance, our State Farm Safety Assist program is available in our busy corridors to help get you back up and running.”

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

Smartphone users can access the site by going to www.kandrive.org and bookmarking it to your home screen so it’s ready when you need it. If users would prefer to use the text-based mobile website, it can be found at 511mm.ksdot.org.

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. Before hitting the road, drivers and their passengers need to buckle up.

“Drivers need to set a good example by wearing their seat belts,” said Julie Lorenz, Kansas Secretary of Transportation.

Studies in Kansas show that if the driver is belted, about 95 percent of all other passengers in the vehicle are properly restrained.  If the driver is NOT belted, it’s only 25 percent of the other passengers.

“Seat belts save lives every day,” Lorenz said. "It is easy to do and could save your life.”

The agencies wish all of those traveling during the upcoming holiday, safe travels. If you are in need of help on a Kansas highway, you can call KHP for assistance at *47 (*HP) or *KTA (*582) for the Kansas Turnpike.

As you enjoy your summer travels and celebrate Independence Day, the agencies offer some tips to help you and your family have a blast:

• It’s hot out there so make sure your vehicle is in proper working order for the heat of summer - check fluids, tires, the air conditioning and cooling system.
• When you leave, start off with a full tank of gas and a fully charged phone.
• Plan your route of travel and check www.kandrive.org for construction, and other issues with your travel plans. The site also has links to other states’ travel information. Also give a family member your travel plans. 
• As you travel, remember to Move Over for first responders and highway maintenance crews. If you are unable to Move Over, then Slow Down.
• In case of a break down, keep emergency supplies in your car, including bottles of water, a phone charger, and non-perishable food items.
• Ensure everyone in your vehicle is using their seat belt and/or an appropriately-fitted child safety seat.
• Arrange for a designated driver ahead of time if you’ll be consuming alcohol. Do not drink and drive.
• If you’re hosting a party, have non-alcoholic drink alternatives available for designated drivers. 

Run for the Wall stops in Kansas

Several hundred motorcyclists make their way across the country during the
Run for the Wall event. 

Several hundred motorcyclists moved through Kansas yesterday during the 31^st annual Run for the Wall event, which began in Ontario, Calif., last week. They ride for those who can’t and recognize the sacrifices and contributions of veterans who served our nation.

The ride is designed to help veterans and their loved ones heal. It also serves as a reminder to account for all prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. The ride honors the memories of those killed in all wars and supports military members all over the world.

The riders will complete their journey when they reach the Vietnam Memorial on May 27. Motorcyclists were hosted by Kansas Turnpike Authority, KDOT, the Kansas ABATE chapter and the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs at the Topeka Service Area.

After an overnight stop in Junction City, the group was provided with free gas and water by the KTA and Topeka Service Area.

According to the Run for the Wall website, the ride began in 1989 and was started by two Vietnam Veterans, James Gregory and Bill Evans, who raised awareness about the thousands of men and women who are still unaccounted for from all wars.

“We don’t give political speeches or stage demonstrations,” the website said. “RFTW gets its message to the public by riding coast to coast across the United States.”

Motorcyclists stop at the Topeka Service Area, and were provided with free water and gas by the KTA.

The event consists of three different routes. Each route will come together at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., where the Run for the Wall officially ends.  Along the way, riders can stop at various memorials, veteran’s hospitals, schools and parades. 

Riders leave the Topeka Service Area and make their way to their next stop.  

Wet and wild weather affects roads across the state

Last week the state of Kansas experienced two extremes — flooding and snow in October. Highways in several counties were closed for various periods of times, and KDOT crews were there to assist with traffic control. Here are a few areas affected by floodwaters.

Crews from KDOT-Fort Scott use a snowplow to swab cornstalks and other debris away
 from the flooded roadway on K-31 west of Fulton.

South east Kansas

Heavy rainfall led to flooded and closed highways at several locations in southeast Kansas during the week of Oct. 8. K-31 west of Fulton and K-65 in Bourbon County were barricaded, and the permanent floodgates were closed at the flooded section of K-152 in Linn County.

The sun sets on a flooded section of K-65 in Bourbon County.

Early last week, the U.S. 169 exit ramp from U.S. 54 was closed because of water standing at its base. In addition, KDOT crews flagged traffic through shallow flood waters on U.S. 54 at the U.S. 169/U.S. 54 junction. The town of Erie experienced significant flooding, although U.S. 59 remained open. KDOT crews from Erie and Chanute assisted Neosho County and the City of Erie in flagging and making repairs at the Neosho River levee at Erie.

Flooding at the base of the U.S. 169 on-ramp from
U.S. 54 resulted in a brief closure to traffic.

North east Kansas

The flooding of the Cottonwood river south of Emporia prompted the closure of K-99 last week. 

Several closures occurred as a result of floodwaters in north east Kansas. 

One of the areas affected was near Emporia. Last week's rain lasted approximately three days and resulted in flash flooding in the Dow Creek/Neosho River flood plain just north of the city. This caused KDOT crews to close K-99 between I-35 and 240 Rd. The highway was closed for nearly 24 hours last Tuesday and Wednesday. 

During the same weather period, the Cottonwood River began to rise past flood stage. Last Wednesday, just after opening K-99 north of Emporia, KDOT had to close K-99 south of the. This flood event was slow to recede and the highway was closed approximately two days. 

During the flooding closure, KDOT, Lyon County and KTA officials worked together on a local detour that allowed locals who lived south of town to get to their jobs and home again. This was achieved through signed detours on county roads and over to a temporary gate on the KTA.  The KTA didn't charge users for this temporary detour. KDOT crews manned the closure point on K-99 and gave instructions to vehicles passing in the area. 

Other areas affected by floodwater on the highways:

K-9 and K-87 near Vliets - This area is prone to flooding, as the Black Vermillion and North Fork Black Vermillion rivers converge there.

K-5 closed in Leavenworth County where Sevenmile Creek crosses the highway.  That area also is prone to flooding after heavy (or prolonged) rainfall

K-7 was closed in Doniphan county, north of White Cloud, as the Missouri River rose high enough to cover the surface of the highway.

North central Kansas

A highway outside of Minneapolis is covered in water.

High waters and flooding occurred in parts of north central Kansas on Oct. 9. K-14 in Ellsworth County was closed for eight miles during the day and one mile overnight as water covered the road in several areas. Ellsworth County also experienced flooded roadways on K-111 and traffic was flagged for two hours until roads were drivable. Saline County had a lane closure for a few hours on K-140 due to water over the road at the bridge by mile marker 22.

South central Kansas

Drone Footage of U.S. 81 north of the K-55 Junction in south central Kansas. Photo by KDOT employee, AJ Wilson

Flooding closed several highways in south central Kansas. KDOT crews on the evening of Oct. 8 began flagging U.S. 281 in Barton County from the bridge over Blood Creek to south of the Hoisington city limit. KDOT later closed the road to traffic. U.S. 281 was opened to traffic on Oct. 10.

Crews flagged K-2 from about two miles east of the U.S. 281 junction to just west of Kiowa as well.

Crews began flagging K-14 north and south of the city of Lyons on Tuesday and later closed the highway south of Lyons. K-14 reopened Friday.

In Sumner County, flooding closed U.S. 81 for about a six-mile stretch from the K-55 intersection to the Sumner/Sedgwick county line. Crews also closed K-55 for a 2.5-mile stretch from U.S. 81 to the Belle Plaine city limit. Those roads reopened Friday.

Flood waters over K-55 west of Belle Plaine.

Creative campers participate in the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day poster contest

Creative kids used crayons, markers and colored pencils to create their safety messages for the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day poster contest. 

By Deb Gruver
South Central Kansas Public Affairs Manager

Armed with crayons, colored pencils and markers, students at a recent arts camp at CityArts in Wichita dove right in to the poster contest for Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.

“Miss Deb, does this look good?” was an oft-repeated question by the smallest kiddos in the group – one of whom made sure everyone knew she was 6¾, not just 6.

So was “Miss Deb, how do you spell ‘buckle’?”

A camper works on their poster entry.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is Oct. 10. The annual campaign seeks to bring awareness to lives lost on roads. About 37,000 people die in traffic crashes each year across the United States.

Campers said they always use their seat belts and tell their parents or other caregivers to use theirs. They made a promise to nag their parents or caregivers about putting their cell phones away.

After a brief lesson on safe driving, the students created posters showing drivers and passengers safely buckled into their seat belts, drivers looking intently at signs and lights and cell phones X’d out because driving while distracted is a huge cause of fatal and other crashes.

A group of campers create posters for the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day contest.

The poster contest gives Kansas children ages 5 to 13 the chance to win prizes such as a Kindle Fire tablet, gift cards and movie passes. Judges will select regional winners in three age categories – 5 to 7, 8 to 10 and 11 to 13. Then, they will choose three statewide winners from the 18 regional winners. Each regional winner will receive a bicycle and helmet from the Kansas Turnpike Authority and Safe Kids Kansas. Statewide winners will each receive a Kindle Fire tablet and case from the KTA, a $50 Amazon gift card from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas, a $50 Walmart gift card and movie passes from AAA Kansas.

Entrants must submit their art on 8.5”-by-11” paper and use paint, crayons, pencils, pastels and collages. Computer-aided drawings aren’t allowed.

Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 21. More details about how to enter are available at http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/events/brakesonfatalities/2018_PBFD_PosterContest.pdf.

A video contest is open to Kansas and Kansas City metro teenagers in eighth through 12^th grades. Videos must focus on themes such as distracted driving, wearing seat belts and texting while driving and be between six and 60 seconds. Videos are due by midnight Sept. 30. The submission form is at https://www.ksturnpike.com/contests/ptbof-submission-form.

Creative contests encourage teens to Put the Brakes on Fatalities

Kansas kids can win great prizes and learn about traffic safety by participating in poster and video contests as part of the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day safety campaign.

Poster contest: For Kansas kids ages 5 to 13 - three statewide winners will each receive:

sKindle Fire Tablet and case from the Kansas Turnpike Authority;

s$50 gift card from Wal Mart;

s$50 Amazon gift card from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store

Association of Kansas;

sMovie passes from AAA Kansas.

A total of 18 regional winners in the six regions and age groups (ages 5-7, ages 8-10 and ages 11-13) will receive a bicycle from the KTA and a helmet from Safe Kids Kansas. Poster entries must be postmarked by Friday, Sept. 21. Information and entry forms are available here.

Video contest: For Kansas teens in grades 8-12. Prizes include an iPad, a Go Pro and a DJI Osmo camera, and the school of the grand prize winner will receive $500 for its school, class or booster club. Video entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30. Information to submit entries is available here

The Kansas Department of Transportation, the KTA,  the Kansas Highway Patrol and other traffic safety organizations are sponsoring the contests.

2017 poster contest winners:

Northeast Kansas

Avik Jain, Topeka; Austin Lamb, Osage City; and Alyson Welch, Overland Park

North Central Kansas

Lacie McLaughlin, Solomon; Breken Coup, Solomon; and Tanner Staedtler, Inman

Northwest Kansas

Aineka Burton, Norton; Peyton Isernhagen, Norton; and Dashiell Brown; and Quinter

Southeast Kansas

Makiah Woods, Bronson; Emily Britt, Columbus; and Marion Ryan, Parsons

South Central Kansas

Nora Ackermann, Andover; Alex and Abby Williams, Douglass; and Abilgail Yocum, El Dorado

Southwest Kansas

Jaylee Eckhoff, Meade; Jennicah Pinchon, Garden City; and Kathya Guillen, Garden City

2017 video contest winners:

Students from Eudora High School won first place. The class received their choice of an iPad, GoPro or Osmo Steadicam along with a $500 donation to the school.

Andrew Tabb from Shawnee Mission West High School captured second place. Kodi Rogers and Aly Tarrango from Scott City High School placed third in the video contest. Each received one of the remaining prizes listed above.

Riding for those who can't - Run for the Wall passes through Kansas



Hundreds of motorcyclists are participating in the Run for the Wall on the central route to Washington, D.C. Above, the group arrives at the KTA service area east of Topeka around 9 a.m. on Monday, May 21,

for a quick stop for gas and supplies.



Above, participants line for gas during the stop at the KTA

service area east of Topeka. Below, Secretary Richard Carlson

(left) chats with one of the riders.

The 30^th annual Run for the Wall made a stop at the KTA’s Topeka service area yesterday as more than 1,600 motorcyclists are participating in the event that extends from Ontario, Calif., to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Some are riding for a day or two, while some are riding all 10 days.

The event started on May 16 and includes three different routes across the country. About 670 are traveling on the central route, which extends through Kansas. The ride ends on May 25.

According to the website, “Founded by Vietnam Veterans, Run for the Wall recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made by all veterans who have served our nation. Veterans of recent conflicts, those currently on active duty, non-veteran supporters and patriots are especially welcome to join and ride with us, as we ride for those who can’t.”



Riders head out Monday morning to continue their trip across the country.

Kansas youth use creativity to focus on improving traffic safety

These artists don’t need a driver’s license to understand what it means to practice safe driving.

During the weeks that led up to the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, children from across the state were encouraged to illustrate creative posters that would educate drivers about traffic safety.

More than 1,000 young artists submitted their designs to the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day poster contest and Nora Ackermann of Andover, Austin Lamb of Osage City and Alyson Welch of Overland Park are the statewide winners.

Nora Ackermann of Andover is a statewide winner in the 5-7 age group.

Each of the winning artists were first selected as a regional winner and they will each receive a bicycle and helmet donated by Safe Kids Kansas at individual presentations that will take place at their schools.

Austin Lamb of Osage City, is a statewide winner in the 8-10 age group.

Each student will also receive a Kindle Fire tablet from the Kansas Turnpike Authority, a $50 gift card from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas, a $50 gift card from Wal-Mart and movie passes from AAA Kansas.

Alyson Welch of Overland Park, is a statewide winner in the 11-13 age group. 

More than 50 entries from teens in 25 Kansas schools were received in the annual video contest. Kansas teens were asked to submit traffic safety videos up to a minute in length.

Students from Eudora High School won first place. The class will receive their choice of an iPad, GoPro or Osmo Steadicam along with a $500 donation to the school.

 Andrew Tabb from Shawnee Mission West High School captured second place. Kodi Rogers and Aly Tarrango from Scott City High School placed third in the video contest. Each will receive one of the remaining prizes listed above.

You can view all three of the winning videos here: 

KDOT, along with the KTA, the Kansas Highway Patrol, AAA Kansas, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Family Partnership, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Federal Highway Administration and the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers all worked together to make the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day safety campaign a success.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is a nationwide effort to increase roadway safety and reduce all traffic fatalities. For more information and a list of all the winners across Kansas, go to www.ksdot.org and click on the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day information.

Riding for those who can't: Run for the Wall stops in Kansas

More than 300 Run for the Wall participants enter the service area under the American and Kansas flags. 

They ride for those who can’t. The 29^th annual Run for the Wall began last week in Ontario, Calif., and more than 300 motorcyclists rolled through Kansas, making several stops along I-70. The Kansas Turnpike Authority’s Topeka  EZ-Go service area hosted riders yesterday where they were welcomed by the  KTA, Kansas ABATE chapter and KDOT and the riders were able to refuel and were given water with the  KTA donating $500 of gasoline to the riders. Check out a video of Monday's stop that also features some of the participants -

https://youtu.be/UG9zV1haKb8

The KTA donated $500 of gasoline to the riders. 

Run for the Wall recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of veterans who served our nation. According to the Run for the Wall website, www.rftw.us,  the ride promotes healing among all veterans and their loved ones.

Vietnam War Veteran Billl Zimmerman said that part of the reason for the ride is to pay respects to the Vietnam Wall and what it represents.

“It means personal feeling toward the veterans that give up their lives for the country,” Zimmerman said. 

More than 300 Run for the Wall participants stopped at the KTA service area to refuel on their journey across country. 

Dallas Hageman has participated in the Run for the Wall for 10 years and said that the ride exists to honor and recognize those who were Killed in Action, Prisoners of War, or who are Missing in Action.

“We ride for those who can’t,” Hageman said. “So up at the front of the pack we have an open spot we call, ‘The Missing Man Spot,’ and we are all there for that one guy or gal that can’t be there.”

Hageman said that while some riders are not veterans, they ride as a way to say, “thank you,” to those who have served.

 “This is the best way I have found, as a civilian, to give back a very, very small  portion of what they have given to me and that’s my freedom,” Hageman said.

A Run for the Wall participant stops at KTA's Topeka service area.

Ron Maston said that this ride also exists to provide all veterans the opportunity to get their own “welcome home.”

“We are making sure they realize that we appreciate them, that their service meant something and that we are standing behind them all the way,” Maston said.  “It’s an amazing experience for those that participate. To see the healing and the impact on our veterans as we go across the country and to see the outpouring of patriotism, which is still a very strong item in this country.” 

Ride for the Wall began in 1989 and was started by two Vietnam Veterans, James Gregory and Bill Evans, who raised awareness about the thousands of men and women who are still unaccounted for from all wars.

“We don’t give political speeches or stage demonstrations,” the website said. “RFTW gets its message to the public by riding across the United States: coast to coast. “

Bikes line up after receiving fuel before returning to the road. 

The trip is a 10-day journey consisting of three different routes. Each route will come together at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., where the Run for the Wall officially ends.  Along the way, riders are able to stop at various memorials, veteran’s hospitals, schools and parades. 

Run for the Wall riders leave KTA's Topeka service area and return to the road.