KTSRO works with KDOT, Kansas Highway Patrol, law enforcement agencies, the Kansas Drivers Safety Education Association, Kansas Safe Kids Coalitions, the Kansas Family Partnership and other agencies and community sources, such as local schools and SADD groups. Together with its partners, KTSRO focuses on measures dealing with novice drivers, increasing seat belt use, preventing drunken driving and underage drinking and raising motorcycle safety awareness.
Click it. Or ticket.
KTSRO works to educate individuals on Kansas’ occupant protection laws and other vital information regarding occupant protection. KTSRO shares the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s stance that proper restraint use is the No. 1 way to prevent or reduce serious injury or death in the event of a motor vehicle crash. KTSRO in an active participant in NHSTA’s Click it. Or ticket. campaign, which seeks to encourage safety belt restraint use across the nation. Kansas’ seat belt usage rate has continued to increase over the last five years, but according to an annual observational seat belt usage study, 23 percent of Kansas occupants are still driving or riding in vehicles without proper restraint. KTSRO seeks to increase occupant protection by informing the public of restraint laws, crash dynamics and the economic, punitive and social consequences of preventable injuries or deaths related to lack of restraint use.
Over the limit. Under arrest.
KTSRO supports the prevention of both impaired driving and underage drinking. KTSRO works to promote preventative education to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes related to impaired driving, as well as reduce the number of youth fatalities and injuries related to underage alcohol abuse. In Kansas in 2007, 120 people were killed as a result of impaired driving. KTSRO seeks to inform individuals of the risks associated with this behavior – including possible death or injury as well as the socioeconomic impact caused by impaired driving. KTSRO participates in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Over the limit. Under arrest. campaign to combat impaired driving, and shares NHTSA’s vision that “Buzzed driving is drunk driving.”
Share the Road
In 2007, one out of every nine road fatalities in the United States involved a motorcycle rider. Motorcycle fatalities now account for 11 percent of total road fatalities and have increased each year over the last decade. KTSRO works to combat the increase in preventable motorcycle fatalities and injuries by providing motorcycle awareness information to both motorcyclists and other motorists on Kansas’ roadways. KTSTO joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in its Share the Road campaign to encourage everyone on the road to look out for other motorists whether they travel on two wheels, four wheels, or more. KTSRO provides motorcycle safety training information and materials to individuals interested in promoting safer roadways for all.
Child Passenger Safety
KTSRO works with Kansas Safe Kids coalitions, Kansas Action for Children and other organizations to increase awareness of child passenger safety laws and best practices for enhancing the safety of children in motor vehicles. In 2007 in Kansas, use of child safety restraints reached 75 percent. KTSRO seeks to increase usage to 100 percent, ensuring all children ride as safely as possible. KTSRO staff includes two certified child passenger safety instructors and one child passenger safety technician to address community needs and answer questions individuals may have regarding child passenger safety.
KTSRO coordinates the NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Technician training courses across the state of Kansas. 25-30 CPS technician and renewal courses are held each year, resulting in the training of 375 technicians. KTSRO also maintain about about 109 child passenger safety inspection stations statewide so citizens of Kansas can receive one on one assistance in installing child safety seats correctly.
Teen Programs
KTSRO works closely with Kansas schools and community organizations to promote safe and constructive behavior when it comes to teens on the road. KTSRO encourages the prevention of underage drinking and the promotion of productive choices for teens both on and off the road. KTSRO provides comprehensive training to educate youth on both Kansas’ traffic safety laws and underage drinking laws.
Minority Programs
KTSRO has committed a special effort to relaying traffic safety education, training and materials to Kansas’ minorities – who are adversely affected by traffic crashes in comparison to their population size. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 1-34, African American males ages 1-14 and the second leading cause of death for African American males ages 15-24. KTSRO works to reduce the number of preventable injuries and fatalities within these specific communities and across every demographic throughout the state.
Employer Programs
According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States. Traffic crashes both on and off the job have a significant economic impact on employers and their consumers as well. KTSRO is dedicated to providing comprehensive traffic safety education and training to employers throughout the state to encourage businesses to become actively involved in keeping employees safe on the way to and from work, at work and every time they use Kansas’ roadways.
For more information about services, materials and education provided through the Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, please contact us at 800-416-2522 or ktsro@dccca.org.
