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!