"5 TO DRIVE" - PREVENTING KANSAS TEEN DRIVER DEATHS

KWCH reports the tragic loss of a teen driver this week. "The Kansas Highway Patrol says Mariah Lowe, 18, of Abilene was driving a 2016 Nissan Sentra east on I-70 when she left the road on the south side for an unknown reason. Officials say Lowe's vehicle struck a concrete culvert, overturned and caught fire.
The accident happened about 8:46 a.m., approximately 9 miles east of Abilene. Lowe was pronounced dead at the scene."  The specific circumstances surrounding Lowe's accident are unknown; nonetheless, we hope that the following information will help prevent other teens and families from losing their loved one(s):
5 to Drive - Teen Accident Prevention
Using the "8 Danger Zone" factors and determining the five most dangerous, there is a movement called "5 to Drive" across the nation. During National Teen Driver Safety Week, agencies across the country provide education and prevention techniques, to lower the number of car accident deaths and injuries caused to/by teens. The "5 to Drive" tips are:

1. BUCKLE UP - As the CDC noted, there are about 39% of teens that do not wear their seat belts when driving, or when a passenger. Wearing a seat belt is one of the easiest ways to prevent serious injury or death, should a car wreck occur.
2. NO SPEEDING - Speed limits are established to protect all those on the road. It is a fact that the faster that each vehicle is going, when involved in an accident, the greater the likelihood of serious injury. Speeding can also contribute to the teen driver being involved in an otherwise avoidable accident, where the other driver may have been negligent (ex. the other driver runs a red light but the teenager is going too fast through the green light to avoid the impact).
3. NO EXTRA PASSENGERS - Too many young adults in the car creates distraction. The more passengers the more likely the teenagers will be involved in an accident. In fact, in Kansas there are the following restrictions for teen drivers and passengers: A 15 year old with a restricted license is prohibited from transporting minor passengers (with the exception of siblings). A reduction in restrictions occurs when the driver reaches the age of 16, if a 50 hour affidavit is turned in. A 16 year old restricted license holder is prohibited from transporting more than one under 18 passenger (with the exception of siblings). This restriction is removed after 6 months or age 17 if held without offense(s).
4. NO ALCOHOL - Drinking and driving is prohibited across the state of Kansas. Being under the influence is known to be large contributing cause of car accidents. Further, it is illegal for teens to consume alcohol, whether they are driving or not. Teens should also avoid driving under the influence of drugs (prescription or illegal) to prevent car wrecks.
5. NO CELL PHONES - Don't text, talk on the phone, check social media, play Pokémon Go, etc...while driving. It can wait. Distracted driving is a sure way to be involved in an accident. Kansas prohibits the use of cell phones (hand-held and hands free alike), with the exception of instances of emergencies, for novice drivers. All Kansas drivers are prohibited from texting while driving (to include sending, reading and writing texts). This is for the safety of all involved.

The CDC has additional Kansas City, teen driver resource guides for parents that can be viewed HERE. 
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Our condolences go out to the family who lost Mariah! There is possibly a case for wrongful death in the case of this accident. Getting an attorney experienced with auto accidents, immediately, is a must. If you, or your loved one, are involved in a serious accident call us today @ 913-602-7288 or complete this FORM.