100 Deadliest Days

Summer may be halfway over, but there are still more than 50 days left of the most dangerous time of year for new teen drivers, ages 16-17.

As we enter the mid-point for the what American Automobile Association of Kansas (AAA Kansas) calls the “100 deadliest Days,” the Kansas Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers of all ages that fatal teen crashes are on the rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) in 2015, the number of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes increased by more than 10 percent from the previous year.

One of the starkest nationwide trends that AAA Kansas found was new teen drivers are three times more likely than adults to be involved in a crash.

KDOT’s crash data says that drivers between the ages of 15-19 years old were involved in 11,348 crashes in 2015. Of those crashes, there were 2,732 injuries and 40 teen casualties.

According to AAA, three main factors contribute to these crashes:

Distracted Driving: Not paying attention to the road ahead is a huge contributing factor in teen crashes. According to AAA, 6 out of 10 crashes were the result of distracted driving.  The main distractions for teen drivers are talking with friends and using their cell phones while driving.

Not Using a Seat Belt: Teens who use their seatbelts are more likely to reduce their risk of being seriously injured or dying in a car crash. According to the latest data, 60 percent of teens who were killed in a car crash were not buckled up.

Speeding: Driving over the speed limit was a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal teen crashes.

There are many ways that we can encourage inexperienced drivers to travel safely.

Talk about safe driving: Simply talking about how to stay safe behind the wheel can be one of the best ways to ensure a young driver remembers key safety tips.

Lead by example: Drivers of all ages should remember that they are being observed by teens and kids who will one day take to the road in vehicles of their own. Experienced drivers should minimize risky behavior while driving, so novice drivers can learn what being safe behind the wheel looks like. Parents or guardians, create a parent-teen driving agreement like this one from AAA Kansas, that sets family rules for teen drivers.

If every driver practiced safe driving skills while behind the wheel, the 100 Deadliest Days could be the 100 Safest Days for teen drivers.

Reminder: Drive work zone speed limit, or pay double fines

It's a simple message but not every driver pays attention to it:
"Drive the work zone speed limit, or pay double fines." 

Between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. last Wednesday, a double major traffic incident occurred on both eastbound and westbound I-435 that snarled traffic through the morning rush hour, creating huge backups and major delays.

First, a vehicle hit the temporary barrier wall on westbound I-435 at Metcalf Avenue, shoving barrier into the eastbound I-435 lanes which were then struck by a vehicle and semi. More than forty 12.5-foot concrete barrier pieces were moved and had to be reset. One barrier piece was entirely broken and had to be replaced.

A close up of one of the broken barriers that had to be replaced. More than forty concrete barriers were either moved or broken following last week's crash.

A crane had to be brought in and the two eastbound I-435 through lanes from Quivira Road east through Metcalf Avenue were fully closed until 9 a.m. this morning to reset the barrier pieces.

KDOT Metro Area staff have said that they have not seen barriers broken or damaged  of this magnitude in their 20 years of experience.

This was NOT a closure planned for construction work on the I-435 Pavement Reconstruction Project. These delays and closures were due to traffic crashes. The highway had to be closed for the safety of the traveling public until all barrier pieces could be reset.

For construction phasing and schedule, traffic impacts and the various ways you can stay informed on the massive I-435 Pavement Reconstruction Project, click here to view the I-435 Pavement Reconstruction Project Factsheet.

The Kansas Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be alert, take it slow, #Drive55, obey the warning signs, put down the phone, focus fully on the road, and “Give ‘Em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through the project work zone.  

Save a life. Save some time and spare you wallet. Follow work zone speed limits.

Check out this 'shocking' video that may save your life

Car crashes are definitely stressful and sometimes it can be hard to remember how to stay safe in your vehicle while waiting for emergency respondents to assist you.

The video below discusses what to do in the event that a driver crashes into a power pole and there are downed power lines on the car. The information provided could save your life if you ever find yourself in this situation. 

As always the best way to avoid injury in car crashes is to stay alert while driving. Don't text and drive and wear your seat belts.