KDOT urges drivers to slow down as part of national safety campaign
peeding is dangerous and with more drivers on the road during the busy summer travel season, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is reminding drivers it’s not worth the risk. Through the end of July, KDOT is participating in the national “Speeding Catches Up With You” campaign to encourage safer driving habits.
Speeding accounts for more than one-quarter of all traffic-related fatalities nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In Kansas, preliminary 2024 data shows that 70 people died and more than 2,000 people were injured in crashes involving speeding.
To support the campaign, KDOT has activated speed feedback signs, a proven safety countermeasure, along four designated safety corridors to reinforce speed awareness. The signs have been gathering traffic speed data and will now also display drivers’ real-time speeds to help promote safe driving habits. The corridors were selected based on crash history, input from local traffic safety partners and the availability of additional law enforcement. Drivers may notice an increased law enforcement presence in these areas.
“Whether you’re in a hurry or just not thinking about how fast you’re going, speeding is a choice that can have deadly consequences,” said KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman. “Speed limits are there for a reason – to help keep drivers, passengers and others safe.”
Speeding is more than breaking the law. In addition to the possibility of injury or death, the consequences are far-ranging and may include:
- Losing control of the vehicle more easily.
- Reducing the effectiveness of seatbelts and child passenger safety seats.
- Increasing the distance needed to stop.
- Raising the likelihood of costly vehicle repairs or property damage.
- Facing a greater chance of being stopped and cited by law enforcement.
For more information about the dangers of speeding, visit the NHTSA website.
