SAFE Kansas

Sometimes, the simplest reminder can be the most important. 💚

Before the car moves, take a moment to make sure everyone is buckled. Front seat, back seat, every passenger, every ride.

Send this to someone you love as a reminder to always buckle up. Because looking out for each other can be as simple as two words: Buckle up.

K Road (Tipton Black Top) is closed from 250 RD to 280 RD. Please make other arrangements to go around this area if you need to travel in the area southwest of Beloit, preferably blacktops. Do not attempt to travel on dirt roads, your vehicle will be stuck there for many days and possibly ticketed as well.

This is a reminder to everyone that you could fall into a deep hole while traveling in the dark stormy nights, possibly storm chasing, looking into the dark skies not paying attention to the roadway in front of you. Best thing for everyone is to stay safely indoors and off the roads during hazardous weather conditions. Thank you and stay safe.

Welcome to deer vs. vehicle season, where they specialize in appearing out of nowhere at the absolute worst possible moment.

Wildlife activity increases in the fall, especially around dawn and dusk, so slow down, stay alert, and keep an eye on roadsides and ditches. And if you see one deer, assume the whole friend group is nearby.

If a collision is unavoidable, brake firmly, keep both hands on the wheel, and don’t swerve. If contact does happen, pull over somewhere safe, turn on your hazard lights, and check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 if anyone needs medical attention and report the collision to local law enforcement.

And please, do not approach an injured deer. Even if it appears calm, an injured animal can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Keep your speed down and your eyes up. Fall is here, and so are the deer…. usually when you least expect them.

How To Avoid Pothole Damage:
Hitting a pothole with your car can cause a great deal of damage to your car, particularly to the tires, rims, suspension, and chassis.

Because of this, it’s imperative that you take the proper precautions to keep your car out of harm’s way.

Obviously, your best course of action is to avoid hitting any potholes; however, that’s not always possible. Keep these seven tips in mind to help minimize vehicle damage.

1. Slow down
The faster you’re driving when you hit a pothole, the worse the damage is likely to be

2. Give some space
Should the car in front of you fail to avoid a pothole, you’ll give yourself time to react and avoid the same fate if you leave a good deal of space between you and the other driver

3. Prepare for puddles
When you see a puddle in the middle of the road, it’s impossible to know how deep that crater will be, so be very cautious

4. Hold tight
Potholes can cause a violent jolt to your car, so it’s very important that you have a solid grip on the steering wheel. Otherwise, your car can veer into the next lane or you can lose control entirely

5. Don’t brake
You’ll want to avoid braking as you hit the pothole because doing so can actually cause more damage

6. Keep your tires full
Properly inflated tires will give your car added protection from potholes

7. Inspect new tires
Inspect the tire by looking at the DOT number, a four-digit number that stands for the week and year the tire was made.

Kansans pride themselves on taking responsibility. Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and the people counting on you. Buckle up. No exceptions.

Mark your calendars for November 9-10! This year’s Kansas Teen Transportation Safety Conference is gearing up to be filled with the latest driving facts and fun! Learn more at ktsro.org/kansas-teen-transportation-safety-conference

This week is National Child Passenger Safety Week. Wednesday SRO Hicks, and a few members of the Galena High School SAFE Team, were in the lunch room during Liberty Lunches speaking with kids about the importance of wearing their seatbelts. On Thursday, students in Preschool through 4th grade were sent home with coloring books and information about the importance of wearing their seatbelts. SRO Hicks also stepped into a few classes at Spring Grove and spoke with students about the importance of wearing their seatbelts.



Drive Safe Kansas NHTSA SAFE Kansas Safe Kids Kansas

If you notice your low tire pressure light coming on (shown below) it may be because of the cold weather! Colder temperatures can cause car tires to expand and contract, which can result in a loss of air pressure. Be sure to check your tires regularly, and add air to your tires if needed!