10
Jhursday, February 18, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Fewer highway deaths reported
By Ric Brack
Kansan staff writer
The number of deaths on Kansas highways is decreasing, but officials aren't sure yet whether new state laws have contributed to that trend.
Under a law that went into effect May 14, Kansas speed limits were increased from 55 to 65 mph on interstate highways. Speed limits later were increased on certain other highways, including state Route 10 between Lawrence and Kansas City.
Many feared that the increased limit would lead to an increase in highway deaths. That fear has been realized in some states, but not in Kansas
As of Monday morning, 35 Kansas highway fatalities had been reported in 1988. In 1987, 46 fatalities were reported for the same $1/2$-month
period, and 67 were reported for that period in 1986.
The total number of Kansas highway fatalities in 1987, at 483, was down 17 from the 1986 total of 500.
Kansas has about 10,000 miles of federal and state highways. Jacobs said about 730 miles were posted with the 65 mph speed limit.
"I if knew the true cause for the trend," said LL. Bill Jacobs, Kansas Highway Patrol public information officer, "I'd write a book about it that would save a lot of lives and make me a lot of money."
the 65 mph limit. Jacobs said that the comparatively low number of highway miles with the 65 mph limit could be a reason for state highway fatalities not increasing as much as in other states.
Some feared that increased speed limits also would push people to
speed more than they had in the past, but Jacobs said that speeding arrests were down in Kansas since the new law took effect.
new book in the
"We have a reverse arrest trend
here as opposed to 14 years ago,"
Jacobs said.
Jacobs In 1974, Congress lowered speed limits to 55 mph to conserve gasoline. Jacobs said speeding arrests jumped substantially in 1974 because drivers had to adjust to the reduced speed limit. He said the trend now was the opposite.
opposite.
Jacobs said the trend toward fewer highway deaths could be due to educational programs and new safety regulations, such as the mandatory seat belt law.
But Verne Walraffen, geometric and data engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation, said
that statistics on the effects of education were hard to come by and that statistics on the effects of the new seat belt law were hard to assess and often misleading.
"Now they all say yes," he said.
"Those statistics aren't only soft, we know they're wrong."
"We've got statistics, that, if taken literally, would prove that it's dangerous to wear seat belts," Walraffen said.
Before the seat belt law went into effect, he said, accident victims would answer truthfully when asked if they had been wearing a seatbelt.
For the first year after the law passed on July 1, 1986, warning tickets were issued to motorists caught not wearing seat belts. On July 1, 1987, highway patrolmen began issuing $10 tickets.
Panel to consider primary
The Associated Press
TOPEKA—A bill that would give Kansans a chance to select presidential candidates in a primary election will come under legislative scrutiny by a Senate Committee on Elections subcommittee.
State Sen. Francis Gordon, R-Highland, chairman of the committee, said he would appoint a subcommittee to examine possible dates for a 1992 primary election.
Kansans now select delegates to national conventions through a cautious approach.
Johnston, D-Parsons, the bill's sponsor, described as confusing.
"I hope the Legislature gives this issue a more serious hearing than it did two years ago," he told the committee. A direct primary election would give more Kansans an opportunity to participate in selecting a candidate, he said.
The bill drew the support of Secretary of State Bill Graves and Jim Parrish, chairman of the state Democratic Party.
Legislature would have had to take action to continue the primary election system after 1980 but declined to do so.
"I estimate that participation in the 1988 Republican and Democratic caucuses combined will, perhaps, reach 40,000 people," Graves said.
The state had a primary election in 1980, when 479,000 people voted. The
That number is a record high because of the aggressive campaign conducted on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, the state's native son, he said.
Kansas Supreme Court yesterday.
KPL lawsuit is contested in court
"KPL knew it was a construction site and workers would be working around its line, and its line was only $6\frac{1}{2}$ feet from the building." Donald W. Vasos of Kansas City, Kan., the attorney for the victim's family, told the court.
House plan encourages deer hunting
Wyandotte County District Court jury verdict in favor of the wife and three children of Kenneth L. Folks of Lawrence.
The attorney for KPL, Frederick K. Starrett of Overland Park, claimed Folks was well aware of the danger presented by the power line
TOPEKA — State officials and lawmakers are hoping the number of deer in Kansas will decrease because of a bill that received tentative House approval yesterday.
The measure is designed to encourage landowners to hunt the deer on their own property, to allow more Kansans to hunt and to get hunters to come from other states. The House advanced the bill to final action on a voice vote, and a final vote is expected today.
The Associated Press
State Wildlife and Parks Department officials have expressed concerns that the Kansas deer population is becoming too large. A large population is a problem for farmers, because the animals break fences and eat crops.
State Rep. Gary Blumenthal, D-Merriam, said he thought Speaker Jim Braden, R-Clay Center, and other GOP leaders were trying to avoid a floor debate on a bill that would give the state Public Disclosure Commission limited power to suboena records.
The measure would allow the state wildlife agency to issue two deer hunting permits to one person.
TOPEKA — The ranking Democrat on the House Elections Committee accused the House Republican leadership yesterday of engaging in political subfurble in an attempt to kill a bill that would strengthen the state's ethics and campaign disclosure laws.
Braden pulled the Senate-passed bill out of the Elections Committee and reissigned it to the Judiciary Committee. When he announced the change near the beginning of the House's session yesterday, Blumenthal angrily protested to his colleagues.
Moving ethics bill provokes outburst
TOPEKA — Kansas Power and Light Co. had a duty to warn a painting crew about a high-voltage power line at the Business World Center in Lawrence and should have to pay a $1.45 million judgment against it in the 1984 electrification of a man, an attorney before the
The Associated Press
"I really object," Blumenthal said. "I think this is an effort to block the success of a bill to give the Senate more power Commission subpoena power."
Later, Blumenthal said, "Can you believe this? They know it has the votes in the Elections Committee, and they took it out of the Elections Committee."
However, Braden denied he was simply trying to bottle up the bill. He and Majority Leader Joe Knopp, R-Manhattan, said House leaders decided at a meeting of committee chairmen that because the bill dealt with judicial procedure, it should be examined by the Judiciary Committee.
"The referral to Judiciary is not an attempt at dirty dealing," Knopp said. "We felt the Elections Committee was about to make a
Most of the Judiciary Committee's members are attorneys, and Blumenthal is not a member.
The Associated Press
major policy decision on a judicial process."
A person the commission is investigating could refuse to give the commission documents and in effect stop the investigation. The bill would require the commission to have any subpoena approved by a Shawnee County district judge.
Blumenthal responded, "This is a holdover bill. There was no attempt to refer it to Judiciary last year."
Presently, the disclosure commission cannot require the people it investigates to turn over their records until after it has found probable cause to believe a violation of the law has occurred. However, such a finding could depend on the records the person being investigated has.
he court Vasos urged the court to uphold a
Bulmental has said the need for the legislation has been pointed out by questions surrounding the business dealings of Republican fundraiser and former Lt. Gov. Dave Owen.
Owen resigned last month as general finance chairman for the presidential campaign of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole after news reports questioned his involvement in a blind trust for Dole's wife, Elizabeth, and business arrangements that allowed him to make a profit from associates who obtained government contracts.
"My effort now is to continue to push for it, and not allow it to be tied up in the Judiciary Committee." Blumenthal said of the bill. "If this thing is not passed into law this year, they (GOP House leaders) will be responsible."
Knopp responded, "I'm convinced that if it's a good bill, it'll pass."
TACO BELL
Super Taco
Limited Time Only
Introducing the Super Taco from Taco Bell. A bigger taco stuffed with crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, juicy beef and hearty beans. It's a mouthful alright. But for a limited time. So hurry.
1408 W. 23rd St.
1220 W.6th St.
YAMAHA RECEIVER SALE
Yamaha's natural sound stereo receivers integrate audio/video performance with control you never dreamed possible. Enjoy the sound you've always wanted...only in a Yamaha!
ONLY IN A YAMAHA:
AUDIO/VIDEO
SALE MODELS AT:
$248, $359, $519,
$649, $849
SOPHISTICATED PERFORMANCE.
ONLY AT KIEF's: SALE PRICES.
KIEF'S DISCOUNT RECORDS AUDIO/VIDEO the GRAMOPHONE shop
Photo styling available upon request.
842-5921 9th and Mississippi
Total Look presents Paul Travis
Paul Travis featured with model Michelle. Photographer—Butch Williams.
Former fashion editor and model, Paul can create a total design that's right for you. Call for an appointment
Expert hair designer with nine years experience, one year at Total Look.
Bridal Registry
CLUB GOURMET
913-451-9099
reuter's boot & shoe repair
1/2 PRICE HEELS
(Men's & Ladies Boots or Shoes)
Offer ends 2/28/88
KWALITY COMICS
Kwality books,
comics, and games.
1111 Masswachutes 843-7239
PAY DAY$
Now filling 20 daytime positions. Earn more for your valuable time. If you need money and want a career opportunity, call Entertel for an interview today.
Everyday can be payday at Entertel. Excellent base wages, cash bonuses and flexible hours make your part-time position with Entertel one of the most rewarding in Lawrence.
Call for an appointment or apply in person today.
A SUBSIDIARY OF ENTERTAINMENT PUBLICATIONS, INC.
8411200
610 MASSACHUSETTS LAWRENCE KANSAS 60644
ENTERTEL
SUA SPECIAL EVENTS & KY.102 PRESENT--
THE
RAINMAKERS
Tuesday, February 23, 9 p.m. — Kansas Union Ballroom Get your tickets at the SUA Box Office and all CATS Outlets $9 with KUID, $10 Public
Don't miss this special Lawrence appearance!