WHP, WYDOT partnering for safer roads

January 6, 2023 |

The Wyoming Highway Patrol and Wyoming Department of Transportation have teamed up to make the state’s roads safer.

According to the Highway Patrol website, 133 people lost their lives on the state’s highways, compared to 111 the year before. Wyoming Highway Patrol’s Lt. Kyle McKay said the distance between towns results in the most common cause of accidents.

To help combat the dangers of driving, the federal government offers a highway safety grant. Both the Wyoming Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation spend the grant money in different ways. Lt. McKay explained how his department uses federal funding for programs and events throughout the state.

Photo courtesy WHP.

Wyoming is one of 13 states to offer hardship licenses. If a 14-year-old needs to drive to school or work, the state may issue the teen limited driving privileges.

Lt. McKay said the Highway Patrol’s Alive at 25 Program is designed to teach defensive driving to the age group most likely to be involved with a fatal accident.

According to Lt. McKay, it is not required for a 14-year-old to participate in a defensive driving course for them to obtain a hardship license.

Wyoming is home to large animals, such as elk and moose. Lt. McKay said many people hit them while driving, but collisions with animals aren’t usually fatal.

Through the federal highway safety grant, the Wyoming Highway Patrol provides child safety seats, free of charge. Lt. McKay said his department has a limited number of car seats available to people in need.

Before Christmas, the Wyoming Highway Patrol delivered a car seat from Cheyenne to Rawlins for a family in need. Lt. McKay said his department will try to help people, but they aren’t always able to go that far out of their way.

The National Highway Safety Council recommends not using a car seat after it’s been involved in an accident. Lt. McKay explained why people should not purchase car seats second hand.

Through community events, Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers are able to educate children about the importance of highway safety. Lt. McKay said schools are the best place to teach safe driving.

WYDOT also uses federal highway safety grants to educate the public about the dangers of unsafe driving. WYDOT’s public information officer, Jordan Achs, explained how her department uses federal funding for highway safety related campaigns.

Informing people about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving isn’t the only way WYDOT is addressing highway fatalities. Achs said WYDOT uses federal funding for projects related to highway safety.

Both the Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation agree that speeding and distracted driving are the largest contributors to road fatalities in the state.