Some stories about highway crashes are heart wrenching.

“Just over five years ago, my husband went out for a bicycle ride,” said Marissa Roberts. “However, because someone chose to get behind the wheel of a car drunk, he never came home. It is believed my husband died on impact.”

Other stories about highway crashes can have a happy ending.

“Without the quick help of the neighbor who stopped, the flight crew who flew me to Wichita, the doctor that made sure I healed quickly, and my seat belt that held me in place, I’m not sure where I would have been. Without clicking my belt that day, I might not be here,” said Stacy Mayo.

Roberts and Mayo were joined by Secretary Mike King and Kansas Highway Patrol Major Scott Harrington at the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day news conference at the Capitol today. The campaign strives to decrease traffic fatalities.

More than 120 members of Students Against Destructive Decisions from high schools across Kansas, as well as other transportation safety partners and law enforcement officials, attended the event.

Students also participated in a quick click challenge to show how quickly and easily seat belts can be fastened. Afterwards, Trooper Don Hughes demonstrated the importance of seat belts on a device that simulates a vehicle rollover.

            Organizations that work together on the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day campaign with KDOT include the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Kansas Highway Patrol, AAA of Kansas, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Family Partnership, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Federal Highway Administration and the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.

            For more information on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, visit KDOT website.