April 3, 2000 (Release 00-051)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Contact: Kim Stich, (785) 296-3585

Work zone safety is a top priority

The good news is that some motorists who are inattentive or speed in Kansas work zones receive a ticket with double fines. The bad new is that some motorists who are inattentive or speed in Kansas work zones end up in an injury or fatal accident.

In 1999, 14 people were killed and 747 people were injured in highway work accidents in Kansas.

"People tend to not pay attention as much as they should in work zones and it can be scary," said Sgt. Darrell Linenberger, with the Kansas Highway Patrol. "And a lot of people don't realize how fast they're going past the highway workers when driving in a work zone."

Unfortunately, the best way to remind people to drive safely in work zone is to lighten their wallets.

"With the fines doubled in highway work zones, it really makes an impression when they find out how much the fine will be," Linenberger said. "But I haven't had many people disagree with double fines because more than anywhere else, it's directly related to safety."

The KHP works with the Kansas Department of Transportation to make work zones as safe as possible. "It's a matter of keeping the workers and motorists alive," he said. "It's amazing how fast vehicles go by and for people working in a work zone who are trying to concentrate, it makes their job doubly dangerous."