Lowest traffic fatality rate recorded in Kansas

State officials said they are encouraged by recent figures released indicating a record low number of fatalities on Kansas roads in 2013, but agree there is still work to do.

The Kansas Department of Transportation recently released preliminary, unofficial reports showing there were 344 fatalities on state roads last year, compared to 405 fatalities in 2012. There were fewer deaths on Kansas roads in 2013 than in any other year since KDOT began keeping records nearly 70 years ago.

"This is great," Lt. Joshua Kellerman, state public information officer for the Kansas Highway Patrol, said. "That's still a lot of deaths. Zero would be the greatest number, but to see a decline like that, that's good news for everybody."

Kellerman said several factors contributed to the significant decline.

"For those numbers to be down in this day, that's great," he said. "Obviously, safety has went up, things like vehicle safety-- air bags and seat belts. Also a legislative agenda with the primary seat belt law."

Kellerman said state law enforcement agencies helped work on the primary seat belt law, which the Kansas Legislature passed in 2010. The law enables police officers to stop and ticket the driver of any passenger car if either the driver or front seat passenger is observed not wearing a seat belt. The law also applies to anyone under 18 years of age. Previously, officers could only ticket violators if the driver was stopped for another traffic infraction.

"It's something we've always taken seriously," Kellerman said. "We're the first ones on the scene and to actually see first hand what a rollover can do and that an injury could have been prevented by wearing seat belts and not texting while driving."

Kellerman added, "The motoring public needs to be applauded as well. It's the lowest number since 1947. That's great news for Kansas in general."

The previous low number for fatalities on Kansas roads was 385 in 2008. The high was in 1969 when 780 people died. KDOT began keeping records in 1947.

"One fatality is too many and we are going to work hard to have this number decrease in 2014," Kansas Secretary of Transportation Mike King said in a news release. "In Kansas, we strongly emphasize safety in the engineering of our highways and that's an important component to keeping travelers safe."

Other factors contributing to the decrease include vehicle manufacturers making safer vehicles and various programs KHP participates in geared toward road and highway safety.

"Vehicle manufacturers have come a long way making vehicles safer to drive," Kellerman said. "There's a whole list of things that can contribute to bringing the number down; it's a combination. The STEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program) that KDOT offers, that goes a long way. Sometimes it's more specific to texting, sometimes it's occupant safety."

In the STEP program, KDOT provides law enforcement agencies with grant money to fund overtime for officers and additional coverage on streets and highways.

"We're also very strict on DUI enforcement," Kellerman said. "Another grant we get is the Roving Aggressive Violation Enforcement. We get KDOT grant money to burn some overtime, and also to go out and make the roads safer. We always put a big emphasis on DUIs, and also occupant protection. There's always something from troop to troop, something they're always being told and continue to work toward."

KDOT Safety Engineer Steven Buckley said in the release "strategic investment in infrastructure, improvement in our seat belt rate, committed law enforcement and emergency responders, good laws and safer vehicles have all played into this dramatic reduction in fatalities. While KDOT is committed to improving our roadway system, we still must relay on drivers to do their part by eliminating distractions, never driving drunk and wearing a seat belt, every trip, every time."

Buckley added, "We are encouraged by this record-setting year, but that is no consolation for the family and friends of the 344 persons lost in traffic crashes. The challenge to engineers, law enforcement, emergency responders, advocates and especially drivers for 2014 is to continue the downward trend."

"Our goal is always zero fatalities throughout the year. It will be attainable," Kellerman said. "Part of our mission is to reduce crashes, promote occupant protection as well as deter DUIs."