Safety Planning Program
The Kansas City region averages approximately 233 deaths and
1,770 disabling injuries per year based on a three-year average. Not only are drivers, passengers and their families afflicted with the physical trauma and emotional pain of these incidents, but everyone pays with higher insurance premiums, increased medical costs and time delays caused by MVCs.
These statistics do not capture transportation incidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians. Many crashes do not involve a vehicle and are never reported to local police. The magnitude of the transportation safety problem in the Kansas City region is not fully understood.
Federal Emphasis
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) emphasized the need to address safety in the planning and programming of transportation investments. The reauthorization of this federal legislation, Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), further emphasizes safety and provides additional programs to improve transportation system safety.
Safety Planning in the Kansas City Region
The quality and function the region's transportation system relies on the overall safety of the system and its parts. The region aims to decrease serious injury and fatality crashes of all types.
MARC's long-range transportation plan, Transportation Outlook 2040, includes a goal to improve safety and security for all transportation users. The safety chapter of the plan examines transportation-system safety and identifies strategies to help improve transportation safety.
The Kansas City region’s efforts contained in Destination Safe energize MARC’s safety-conscious planning efforts. The planning, coalition building, education and implementation components executed under this regional initiative assists area residents in achieving its regional goal contained in Metro Outlook where the quality of life in the Kansas City region is rising for everyone.
For more information about MARC’s Transportation Safety Planning Program, contact Aaron Bartlett or Ron Achelpohl at 816/474-4240.
LATEST NEWS
Destination Safe to fund projects that prevent roadway deaths and injuries
The Destination Safe Coalition is accepting FY 2013 grants for noninfrastructure transportation safety projects that help reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the Kansas City region's roadways. Deadline is April 30, 2012. Details ››
Leavenworth County road safety audit finished
Destination Safe partners recently conducted a multidisciplinary road safety audit of Eisenhower Road, from 10th Avenue to Hughes Road, in Leavenworth County. Final report ››
Latest fatality report
Roadway fatalities have been on the decline in Greater Kansas City for the past five years. Get preliminary regional crash statistics. More ››
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 30, 2012
Destination Safe Coalition Leadership Team, 9 a.m., MARC
June 5, 2012
Destination Safe Transportation Safety Data Task Team, 9 a.m.