Topeka ? Kansas is putting its first string on the field to persuade motorists to use their seat belts and not drink and drive.

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self, Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder and Wichita State men’s basketball coach Mark Turgeon are teaming up with state transportation officials to issue safety messages on television and radio ads as well as signs and video boards.

Many of the messages will be broadcast during games.

“Seat belts save lives, and it takes only a couple of seconds to click it,” Self said.

“Far too many families are affected every day by impaired drivers,” Snyder said.

In 2004, 456 people were killed in crashes on Kansas roadways, officials said. Sixty-six percent weren’t wearing safety belts, and 25 percent of fatalities were caused by drunken drivers. Kansas ranks among the lowest in the nation in seat-belt usage.

“Even good drivers are involved in crashes. That’s why everyone should be prepared and buckle up every time they get in a vehicle,” Turgeon said.

The Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Department of Health and Environment have put together a Kansas Safe Driving campaign to try to lower fatalities on roadways.

Pete Bodyk, chief of KDOT’s Bureau of Traffic Safety, said he hoped more people will listen to the safety messages when they are delivered by popular coaches. Other coaches will also be used to promote the campaign, he said.