This weekend kicks off the peak of summer travel across our nation’s highways. The Kansas Highway Patrol will be working additional hours for the next two weeks, thanks in part to funding from the Kansas Department of Transportation through the STEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program) campaign, to help motorists reach their destinations safely.

“This time of year, families are traveling to spend some much-needed time together, as some of the busy months of classes have wound down. The STEP campaign allows our personnel to work additional hours to help enforce traffic laws in our state,” Colonel Ernest E. Garcia, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol said. “The STEP funding from KDOT demonstrates their commitment to the safety of our motorists.”

The STEP program allows officers to work overtime hours, providing extra manpower on the roads and focusing on areas such as occupant protection, enforcing impaired driving laws, and other traffic safety issues. STEP this year runs from Monday, May 20 through Sunday, June 2. This year’s focus of the STEP campaign is “Click It or Ticket,” encouraging seatbelt/child safety seat use for occupants of all ages.

Over the 2012 Memorial Day holiday reporting period for the Patrol (KHP stats only), troopers worked one fatal crash on Kansas’ highways. One person was killed in that crash and it was not alcohol-related. There were two total impaired driving crashes. The Patrol arrested 46 people for impaired driving. Personnel also assisted 1,227 motorists who needed help on Kansas roads.

“We hope all of those traveling during the Memorial Day weekend have safe travels, as well as throughout the rest of the upcoming summer months,” Garcia said. “Don’t forget, if you are in need of assistance on a Kansas highway, you can call KHP for assistance at *47 (*HP) or *582 (*KTA) for the Kansas Turnpike.”