Thanks to a grant from the Kansas De-partment of Transpor-tation, more than 1,300 child passenger safety seats were donated to a number of child pas-senger safety fitting stations across the state.

More than 125 agencies statewide

were given the chance to request child passen-ger safety seats.

Each of the agencies has a currently certified child passenger safety technician on staff. The public can visit these stations to find out what type of child passenger safety seat to use and how to install it prop-

erly. Providing seats to these stations is an at-tempt to increase proper child passenger seat use as defined by state law.

To find the nearest station, visit the Na-tional Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfit-ting/index.cfm.

Quarterly publication of the Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office FY2008 Volume I Issue I

at the heart of traffic safety in Kansas

The PulseA newly-integrated

resource center will serve Kansans across the state with an outlet for traffic safety information, edu-cation and other resources previously provided by a couple of state programs.

The Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office is a combination of the former Kansas Drunk Driving Prevention Office and the Kansas Safety Belt Education Office. As a united office, the KTSRO will inform traf-fic safety advocates of the ability to utilize a variety of organizations and other pre-existing resources for

conveying traffic safety messages statewide.

The KTSRO will work with the Kansas Highway Patrol, local law enforce-ment, the Kansas Drivers Safety Education Asso-ciation, Kansas Safe Kids Coalitions, the Kansas Family Partnership and other agencies and com-munity sources, such as local schools and SADD, to provide an assortment of traffic safety educa-tion. The KTSRO will provide information and educational resources to Kansas residents and traffic safety advocates to further awareness on

a variety of traffic safety issues.

Statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-tration continue to prove the effectiveness of safety belt use in minimizing motor vehicle crash fatal-ities. Therefore, continu-ing education on safety belt use will serve as a vital goal of the KTSRO.

Alongside this initiative, the new office will be an equally comprehensive resource for other traf-fic safety resources and education like impaired driving, motorcycle safety and awareness and novice drivers.

For more information on traffic safety resources contact KTSRO at 1-800-416-2522.

Inside this issue

Motorcycle safety and •education initiative to begin, page 2

New Kansas law re-•garding safety belts, page 3

Safety tips for winter •travel, page 5

New office to combine state resources

Child passenger seats donated

Motorcycle enthusiasts the world over agree that there’s noth-ing quite like the freedom of the road on a bike – not to mention other benefits like better gas mile-age and maneuverability.

Of course, alongside all the pros of riding the open road come other disadvan-tages and risks – like the increased chance of being injured or killed in the event of a crash.

More and more mo-torcycles are on the high-way these days, and to combat a rising trend in motorcycle injuries and fatalities the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a new initiative to improve motorcycle safety through rider education and training, more strenuous standards for helmet certifi-cation labeling, law enforce-ment training and better road designs to consider motor-cycle dynamics.

Mary Peters, U.S. Secre-tary of Transportation, said the initiative will generate new national safety and training standards for novice riders, cut back on unsafe counterfeit helmet labeling and put new focus on motor-cycle-specific road improve-

ments as well as provide training to law enforcement so they can better spot and stop unsafe motor-cyclists on the road.

The initiative will also incorpo-

rate an extensive public awareness campaign on safe riding techniques - including a television public service announcement from Peters herself - an avid motorcyclist.

In the event of a motorcycle crash, what’s between your head and the highway?

Here’s what to look for when buying a helmet:Get a helmet with an inner liner of about one-inch thick firm polysty-• rene foam

Make certain the helmet has a sturdy chin strap with • solid rivets

A safe helmet (one meeting DOT stan-• dards) will generally weigh about three

poundsNothing should extend further •

than two-tenths of an inch from the surface of the helmet. Visor

fasteners are allowed, but other decorative objects that stick out signal an unsafe helmet

Helmets that • achieve the minimum

safety standard must have a sticker on the outside back of the helmet with the letters “DOT.” Although some novelty helmet sellers provide DOT stickers separately for place-ment on non-complying helmets, these stickers are invalid and do not certify compliance. In addition to DOT stickers, some non-profit organizations such as Snell or the American National Standards Insti-tute provide additional labels inside helmets that generally indicate the helmet meets or exceeds federal safety standardsFederal safety standards require manufacturers to provide a label for • the helmet that states the maker’s name, model, size, month and year of manufacture, materials used in construction and owner’s information

Motorcyclists should check each of these points when choosing a helmet to ensure they get a safe helmet and can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety’s Web site at www.nhtsa.gov for more information.

First Quarter The Pulse Page 2

Transportation secretary announces new initiativeThrill of the road

Teens who don’t wear their safety belts while driving could soon be paying the price.

Under provisions of the Kansas Safety Belt Use Act, occupants of passenger cars between the ages of 14 and 17 must wear safety belts at all times. Failure to do so may result in a fine and court costs.

The act, KSA 8-2501, gives law enforce-ment officials the upper hand in implement-ing safety belt use with teens. It serves as a primary enforcement law, meaning drivers 14 years of age but younger than 18 can be pulled over and cited for not wearing their safety belt alone. This law includes both front and back seat passengers. The fine is $60, including court costs.

As for other drivers and passengers age 18 and older, front seat occupants of passenger cars can be cited for a safety belt use viola-tion only after being cited for another traffic or motor vehicle violation. The fine for this safety belt violation is $30.

The Kansas Child Passenger Safety Act, KSA 8-1343, states that children age eight to 14 must be protected by a safety belt at all times. Children age four to eight who weigh less than 80 pounds or who are not taller than 4’9” must ride in child safety seats or booster seats. All children under the age of 4 must be protected in an approved child safety seat.

A Program of the Kansas Department of Transportation

Courtesy PhotoMembers of Louisburg High School’s STAR Warriors stop for a photo. The group advocates responsible choices for teens.

Courtesy PhotoMcGruff, Vince, Corporal Jay Richards, Larry and Master Police Officer Eric Tims at the Lenexa Enchanted Forest.

New safety belt law to affect teensFirst Quarter The Pulse Page 3

Traffic Safety Supporters

Kansas Traffic Law

Ever heard anyone say, “It’s OK, I’m just buzzed,” before get-ting in a car and driving off?

The fact is that driving under the influence of a small amount of alcohol or drugs is still driving under the influence and still very dangerous for you and anyone one else on or near the highway.

In 2006 in Kansas, there were more than 3,200 crashes involv-ing alcohol. In those crashes, 108 people were killed.

Even if you aren’t killed or injured in a crash, driving drunk

can cost you. Your first offense for a DUI can include the minimum mandatory imprisonment of 48 consecutive hours, license suspen-sion and fines up to $1,000, plus court costs, probation, evaluation fees and attorney’s fees. As well, a judge may order a vehicle to be impounded for up to a year if the driver should be convicted of a DUI.

The holiday season – one of the deadliest and most dangerous due to an increase in impaired driv-ing – is over, but it’s important to remember at any time of the year that drinking, drugging and driving just don’t mix.

It’s imperative that if you plan to party, plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.

If you know for sure that you’ll be drinking at an event or gather-ing, always designate a driver be-fore you begin drinking – and give the designated driver your keys as well.

If you are already impaired,

call a taxi, a sober friend or family member or use public transporta-

tion to make your way home. Keep the number of local cab agencies or a map of bus routes on hand or in your wallet so you’re prepared.

Be responsible and assist oth-ers in making the right decision when it comes to impaired driving. If you suspect someone is about to drive under the influence, or ride with someone who is, try to take away the keys and help make other arrangements for getting them to their destination safely.

Look out for others and yourself – contact law enforcement if you believe that you’ve seen an im-paired driver on the road.

First Quarter The Pulse Page 4

Upcoming traffic safety events

Child Passenger Safety •Technician Classes

Jan. 15-18, Olathe Contact: Phyllis Larimore @ 816-234-1607 March 10-13, Ottawa Contact: Cheri Sage @ 785-296-0351

Stay safe on the road

For more information and safety tips, please visit www.

stopimpaireddriving.org

Contact Us:Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office

2930 SW Wanamaker DrTopeka, KS 66614

1-800-416-2522785-233-5885

785-233-1342 faxKTSRO@dccca.org

Responsible Kansans plan ahead to stay safe on the roadBuzzed driving is drunk driving

Use this checklist to make sure you and your car are safe this win-ter, and remember to always wear your safety belt.

See the mechanic – Get a tune up and any other • routine maintenance, such as an oil changeHave the car checked • for leaks, bad hoses or other part repairs and replacementsCheck tire • pressure to ensure proper inflation. Also look for uneven wear, sufficient tread and overall good rubber condi-tion.

Check your cooling system – Make certain your vehicle • has enough coolant and that it is made to withstand the winter weatherLook for leaks• Have your vehicle’s system • flushed to get rid of ineffec-tive rust inhibitors and anti-freeze and to prevent clogs

Watch the windshield - Make sure your vehicle is • full of no-freeze windshield wiper fluid and keep an extra bottle on hand in the vehicleCheck to see that your wip-•

ers work and that the blades don’t need replacingEnsure your vehicle’s de-• frosters are working prop-erlyTest your battery –

Ask your mechanic • to run a battery test to check for sufficient voltage

Get the charging • system and belts in-

spectedKnow your car

- Practice cold winter •

driving away from the main roads when your area first experiences snow to sharpen your

handling skillsSlow down and increase • following distanceBe familiar with your • vehicle’s brakes and how to use them

Stockpile winter supplies –

Keep severe • weather supplies on hand in your vehicle in case of an emergency. You’ll want:

- an ice scraper, broom or brush and a snow shovel

- abrasive material like kitty litter

- jumper cables, a flashlight

and other warning devices such as flares and markers

- blankets- a cell phone, bottled water

and food supplies as well as any necessary medicine

Plan your path – Check out your travel des-• tination before you leave – including weather and road conditions as well as trafficPlan on your journey taking • longerKeep your gas tank close to • full in case you get stuckMake certain others know • your route and when you

should arriveEducate yourself

for an emergency situation –

Should you • be stuck in the snow

or other extreme weather con-ditions, don’t

leave your car and don’t overexert yourself

Place bright • markers on the antenna or windows and keep your ve-

hicle’s dome light onRemember not to •

run the vehicle for long pe-riods of time in an enclosed space or with the windows up. Run the car just long enough to keep you warm.

First Quarter The Pulse Page 5

Tips for staying safe on the road in wacky weatherWinter Wise