Thousands of teens die in car crashes every year in the U.S. NHRA drag race legend Doug Herbert knows this all too well.
“This statistic became a reality for me in January of 2008 when my two boys, Jon and James, ages 17 and 12, were killed in a car crash,” Herbert said.
Thunder Ridge High School teacher Denise Miller experienced a similar tragedy when she lost her daughter in 2015.
“Nothing prepares you for standing at the edge of a field, held back by rescue workers, as you scream, cry, react,” Miller said. “That realization that comes over you when you comprehend they are doing nothing to free your precious baby from her vehicle. Because there is nothing that can be done. It’s already too late.”
Herbert and Miller were joined by Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson, Kansas Highway Patrol Officer Don Hughes and recent Kansas State University graduate Logan O’Dea at the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day news conference at the Capitol today. The campaign strives to decrease traffic fatalities.
Students from Topeka and surrounding areas, as well as other transportation safety partners and law enforcement officials, attended the event.
Logan O’Dea of Topeka shared how important wearing his seat belt was when driving while it was raining and he hit standing water.
“I was wearing my seat belt. If I hadn’t been, my body would have been with the back-window glass they found flung 50 feet away from the car,” he said.
Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Last year, 429 people were killed in traffic crashes across Kansas, and 76 of them were teenagers.
Organizations that work together on the annual safety campaign with KDOT include the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Kansas Highway Patrol, AAA of Kansas, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Family Partnership, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Federal Highway Administration and the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.
For more information on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, visit the KDOT website.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Ground Broken for new Sac and Fox Trad'n Post
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Jackson Co traffic stop leads to arrest
One held for past Atchison shooting
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Early Thursday storms leave damage, outages, locally
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
LATEST STORIES
Pawnee City School Board approves personnel changes
Hazard mitigation planning meeting set for Atchison County MO
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Senator Slama on tax relief efforts
SE Nebraska March unemployment report
Falls City Career Academy to open during 24-25 school year
Denim Day declared for Nebraska state colleges