The Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) recently launched a new safety campaign to help provide guidance to motorists passing through areas of western Kansas that can be subjected to blowing dust and high winds.
[Above photo by Kansas Highway Patrol]
The agency said dust storms often occur in the region from December to April due to its flat plains, open agricultural fields, ongoing drought conditions, and strong wind patterns.
[Editor’s note: Kansas DOT also recently issued new updates to its “KanDrive” road and weather website/mobile application for motorists as well.]
“It’s important to remember what to do in these situations, because these steps may be the difference between safety and disaster. We want the traveling public to be knowledgeable, so they can respond when visibility is low,” said Troy Whitworth, Kansas DOT’s director of safety, in a statement.
Kansas DOT and KHP also created a public service announcement highlighting the driving dangers posed by dust storms as well.
Drivers are urged to prioritize safety over speed when encountering high winds or sudden reduced visibility. The high winds can create sudden gusts and cause larger vehicles, including large trucks, Recreational Vehicles, and trailers, to sway or lose control.
Blowing dust adds another layer of danger, with visibility capable of dropping to zero within seconds, the agency added, as they can cause sudden “brownout” conditions that increase the likelihood of multi-vehicle crashes.
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