KANSAS CITY, Mo. - What factors turn a routine trip into a fatal collision?
Highway safety attorney Douglas Horn says there is a lot drivers can do to help ensure that they, the passengers, and other motorists on the roadways "arrive alive" at their destinations this holiday season.
"Last year, Missouri drivers were involved in 847 fatal crashes resulting in 943 total fatalities," said Horn. "As we close out 2009 we can finish below those totals if we all follow the basic safety rules; meaning seatbelts for all vehicle occupants, drive sober and at a safe rate of speed taking into account road conditions, and refrain from driving while distracted."
Horn says drivers can also increase their chances of safe motoring by staying especially alert while driving on Missouri roads which statistically produce the most fatal collisions.
"Because of traffic volume, lack of proper lighting, missing traffic signs and signals, narrowness of lanes, and dozens of other factors, these roads experienced the highest number of fatal crashes in 2008 and should be traveled with utmost caution and with zero driver distraction caused by cell phones or other portable electronic devices," said Horn.
Horn says we tend to focus on drunk driving during the holiday season but he is equally worried about distracted driving. So far this year, Horn says distracted driving has caused 6,000 fatalities and half-a-million injury accidents across the country.
"My feeling is we need to treat distracted driving like we've treated drunk driving. The consequences have to be severe. Many of the laws may address (distracted driving) but the fines are small and penalties are marginal," said Horn.
In Missouri, a texting ban went into effect in August for drivers 21-years-old and younger. The fine is $200. In Kansas, drivers 16 1/2 and younger will be banned from using their cellphones starting in January.
MISSOURI'S 10 DEADLIEST HIGHWAYS:
I-70 36 fatal accidents with 41 fatalities
I-44 20 fatal accidents with 25 fatalities
US-63 19 fatal accidents with 25 fatalities
I-55 22 fatal accidents with 24 fatalities
US-71 17 fatal accidents with 21 fatalities
US-67 17 fatal accidents with 17 fatalities
US-54 15 fatal accidents with 17 fatalities
US-160 13 fatal accidents with 17 fatalities
US-60 15 fatal accidents with 15 fatalities
US-50 13 fatal accidents with 15 fatalities
