Special to The Hays Daily News

Children age 5 to 13 in Kansas are encouraged to enter artwork for a statewide poster contest focusing on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day -- a national effort to reduce traffic fatalities by urging motorists to take extra precautions when driving or riding in vehicles.

A total of 18 regional winners in the six regions and age groups (age 5 to 7, age 8 to 10 and age 11 to 13) across the state will each receive a bicycle donated by Wal-Mart stores in Kansas as well as a helmet donated by Safe Kids Kansas.

Three statewide winners will receive family packages at the Courtyard Marriott in Junction City, the Capitol Plaza in Topeka, and the Grand Prairie Hotel/Convention Center in Hutchinson. Statewide winners also will receive $50 gas cards from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas.

All entries must be postmarked by Sept. 5 and should be mailed to: AAA Kansas, Public Affairs, 3545 SW Sixth St., Topeka, KS 66606. On the back of the 8-1/2-by-11-inch paper entry must be the child's full name; age at time of entry; mailing address; county; a parent's name; and contact phone number.

For more information on the contest, visit www.ksdot.org.

Past winners from northwest Kansas include: Kayla Lynn Garvert, Plainville; Kaitlyn Nolde, Dorrance; and Katlynn Krug, Russell, all in 2007; Darah Kay Portenier, Kirwin; Morgan Kathleen Beougher, Stockton; and Akaylah Trundle, Colby, all in 2006; and Darah Portenier, Kirwin; Danica Casey, Natoma; and Ethan Jirak, Oakley, all in 2005.