Emergencies happen: How to stay safe on the side of the road

During these busy summer months, you may encounter a stranded motorist on the side on the road or experience a disabled vehicle yourself. Blown tires and engine troubles are a fact of life while traveling. If you find yourself in either of these situations, the Kansas Highway Patrol has some tips to keep you safe.

If you experience a road side emergency and need to pull over do the following:

• Park your vehicle as far off the busy roadway as possible.

• Turn on your four-way emergency flashers (hazard lights).

• Stay in your vehicle until help arrives, especially at night or in inclement weather.

• If someone stops, crack your window and ask them to phone the police for assistance.

• If you must leave your vehicle along the highway, notify the police, sheriff or KHP of its location and the circumstances.

Remember, one of the best ways to prevent a roadside emergency is to maintain up-to-date maintenance on your vehicle.

What to do if you see someone who has a disabled car on the side of the road.

According to KHP, your personal safety is of utmost importance. If you see a stranded motorist on the roadside, do not stop your vehicle.

Instead, it is recommended that you call the KHP, or if you are traveling on the Kansas Turnpike, the Kansas Turnpike Authority and explain to them where you saw the stranded motorist. Here are the numbers below:

*47 to reach the Kansas Highway Patrol

*KTA (582) while on the Kansas Turnpike

If you don’t have a phone, proceed to the next gas station or rest area to reach the numbers above.

Remember: If the vehicle’s emergency flashers are on, give them room. Slow down or move over if you can to avoid injuring the motorist or crashing into their stalled vehicle.

Visit the KHP’s Motor Assist Program to learn more about staying safe in a roadside emergency.

Want to know if your travel plans will be impacted by a crash or highway construction? Visit Kandrive.org for Kansas Highway Conditions.

Share your roadside emergency stories with us in the comments. How did you stay safe?

Tire Safety in the Summer

Summer is a great time for traveling.  It’s important to maintain safe tires to ensure safe travels, and having the right tire type for the summer months is essential.
There are three types of tires: snow/winter, summer and all-season. Be mindful of what type of tire is on your vehicle to ensure proper motor care.

Summer tires are a great option for safe and efficient driving in the warmer months. 

• The tread on summer tires offers smooth and soundless rides in dry or wet environments.
• Summer tires also have harder compound then snow tires which gives them a good grip in dry and wet weather conditions.

All-season tires are a great option for those in moderate climates

• They can be used for all driving conditions
• Provides traction in regular winter driving conditions but not as well as snow tires, which should be used in severe winter weather operates well in warmer weather but with less grip then a summer tire.

 
Research and find out what tires work best and offer the most comfortable and long-lasting rides to carry you through all your summer travels.
 

Another important aspect of summer tire safety is maintaining one’s tires through proper tire care.

Here are a few tips for motorists on keeping tires in their best traveling condition:

Check Tire Air Pressure

• An important aspect of tire safety is checking the air pressure of your tires and making sure all tires are properly inflated. The pressure of each tire should be checked at least once a month, depending on frequency of travel. 
• To check the pressure of your tire, remove tire cap and press a tire gauge on it, there may be a slight puff of air, read the air pressure number and then secure the cap on again.

Check the Wear on Tread

• To examine the tread on your tires for wear use an upside-down penny and place it between the tire grooves. If the top of Lincoln’s head is showing then it means the tread is worn and it’s time to replace your tires.

 

The penny test: The top of Lincoln's head is slightly covered by the tread on this tire.
The tread is then considered to be in good condition.

Wheel Rotation

• Rotating your tires regularly ensures that the tire rubber won’t wear out as quickly. Always be mindful of the condition of tires and make sure the rubber on the tires is safe and stable.

Check out the video below on some great summer driving tips.

  
Keep a Spare Tire in Your Car

• Always keep a spare tire in your car in case of potential flat tires. To maintain safety when changing tires, it’s important to educate yourself on how-to properly change flat tires along roadside.
• Things you’ll need are, a spare tire, lug wrench, jack and bricks or rocks. To see how a tire is changed, check out the video below.

If you are stuck on the side of the road and need additional help, contact Motorist Assist, which is a program dedicated to helping motorist stranded on roadways. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, The Motorist Assistance Program covers four metro areas in Kansas: Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita and Salina. KDOT supports this program, and both agencies work together to prevent additional travel impediments, as a result of roadside emergencies, and keep travelers safe.

 Each service vehicle is staffed by a Kansas Highway Patrol civilian employee. You can contact the Motorist Assist Program by dialing *47 to reach the Kansas Highway Patrol *KTA (582) while on the Kansas Turnpike

Remember to give all emergency vehicles and workers room. Move over or slow down when you see flashing lights or sirens.