KU News Release

Transportation conference to address the increase in Kansas traffic crashes

LAWRENCE — The 13th annual Transportation Safety Conference, sponsored Continuing Education at the University of Kansas and the Kansas Department of Transportation, will take place April 17 and 18 in Wichita.

This year’s conference, titled “Traffic Crashes: A Kansas Epidemic,” will feature programs centered on four themes: youth, law enforcement, injury control and roadway safety. Law enforcement personnel, judges, city and county officials, educators, counselors, engineers, EMTs and EMS workers, bus drivers and anyone interested in transportation safety will benefit from the wide range of topics being presented.

“An epidemic of traffic crashes is adversely affecting every segment of the transportation safety community,” said Pete Bodyk, chief of the Bureau of Traffic Safety for the Kansas Department of Transportation. “We hope to offer local officials and interested citizens tools and strategies to help stem this epidemic.”

Sheriff John Whetsel of Oklahoma County in Oklahoma, will speak to a plenary session on Tuesday, April 17. His address is titled “Creating an Effective Traffic Safety Program Accepted by the Community.” A 40-year law enforcement veteran, Whetsel was honored by the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association as the 2006 Sheriff of the Year.

The 2007 People Saving People Awards will be presented Wednesday, April 18. This prestigious award is presented to any nominated individual, organization or program that has had a positive effect on Kansas transportation safety in any one or all of three areas: community leadership and engineering, education and awareness or enforcement and response. Rory Vaden, a nationally recognized motivational humorist, will address the awards luncheon.

For more information or to register, contact KU Continuing Education at 877-404-5823.

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