Important Safety Tips for Kansas City Roads
In 2021, the Kansas City Police Department released a traffic safety report that highlighted their top 10 highest crash total locations over a 3-month period. Notably, for eighty percent of the list the leading cause was cited as the result of driver inattention or rear-end accidents. In the event of an accident, an experienced Kansas City car accident attorney at Dickerson Oxton is qualified to help. Here is a snapshot of the data the KCPD provided on the top 10 highest crash volume locations:
1. 1-435 & Holmes Rd. Lane
2. 1-70 & 1-435
3. 75th St. & Bruce Watkins Dr
4. Bannister Rd. & 1-435
5. 1-470 & Blue Ridge Blvd.
6. 55th St. & Bruce Watkins Dr.
7. Front St. & 1-435
8. Front St. & 1-35
9. Red Bridge Rd. & 71 Hwy
10. 1-435 & Woman Rd.
Intersection Safety Tips for Drivers
If you find yourself driving in the Kansas City area often, completely avoiding these high traffic and high crash volume locations may not be an option. Here are a few intersection driving safety tips to help navigate high risk, high traffic areas with the appropriate caution and confidence.
With a large majority of the Kansas City traffic accident data in these dangerous intersections being the result of driver inattention, it should come as no surprise that active driving habits can greatly reduce your risk of an accident. Reducing your speed and actively surveying the road ahead for hazards, pedestrians, and other vehicles will help prepare you to stop. This will eliminate any chance of a rear end accident.
Obey Traffic Signals and Signs
Make sure to always follow traffic signals, stop signs, and any other regulatory signs at intersections. They are placed there for a reason and a prepared and active driver should follow the rules and safety precautions of the road in front of them. Make sure to come to a complete stop at stop signs and wait for your turn at yield signs. Using the appropriate turn signals is another important way to help alert other drivers of your intentions, keeping the roads as safe and welcoming as you can.
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, there were over 3,000 distracted driving fatalities in 2020 alone. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in the US and over 300,000 people were injured as a result. Stay focused on the road and the intersection. Avoid using your phone, adjusting the radio, or engaging in any activity that diverts your attention from driving. Any type of activity that draws your attention away from the road can lead to serious accidents, especially when approaching dangerous intersections.
