Kansas
Kansas traffic fatalities trend downward after seven years averaging more than 420 deaths • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — The number of traffic deaths on Kansas backroads, streets and highways increased in the decade from 2013 to 2023 despite three consecutive annual reductions that cut fatalities below 400 for the first time since 2015.
State and federal transportation reports and an assessment by TRIP, a nonprofit organization researching and distributing data on transportation issues, said traffic fatalities in Kansas expanded 11% during the 10-year period. The peak in Kansas fatalities during the decade was 461 deaths in 2017, which fell within boundaries of a seven-year stretch in which the state averaged 423 traffic deaths per year.
Reports showed roadway deaths in Kansas diminished 8% from 2021 to 2023, culminating with 388 fatalities in 2023. That figure more closely resembled a three-year period marked by 350 fatalities in 2013, 385 in 2014 and 355 in 2015.
Gov. Laura Kelly celebrated the decline and argued public investment in transportation safety projects had delivered dividends. The Kansas Department of Transportation said wearing a seatbelt — a primary driving offense since 2010 — improved crash survivability by more than 45%.
“Safe roads save lives,” Kelly said in a statement. “We must all do our part to reduce traffic fatalities. I encourage all Kansans to buckle up, follow posted speed limits, avoid distractions and drive sober.”
TRIP, the transportation policy organization in Washington, D.C., said U.S. traffic fatalities declined in 2022 and 2023, but remained 25% higher than a decade ago. In 2020 and 2021, traffic deaths across the country escalated during height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found drivers engaged in riskier behavior, including speeding, failure to wear seat belts and driving under the influence after the declaration of the public health emergency.
Bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities accounted for 21% of all U.S. traffic fatalities in 2023. From 2018 to 2023, the number of pedestrians killed increased 16% to 7,522 and the number of cyclists who died expanded 29% to 1,105. Motorcycle fatalities grew by 16% of the national total to 6,364 in 2023.
“Ensuring safety on our nation’s roadways is a collective effort involving everyone from drivers to government entities that finance road improvements, as well as manufacturers, contractors and innovators,” said Mike Hare, board chairman of the American Traffic Safety Services Association.
TRIP said crashes in U.S. highway work zones resulted in 4,316 fatalities from 2018 to 2022, which reflected an increase of 18% from 756 in 2018 to 891 in 2022.
In Kansas, highway work zone accidents resulted in 32 fatalities from 2018 to 2022. In the same five-year period, Missouri recorded 99 such deaths, Oklahoma reported 93 and Nebraska had 35.
“Distracted driving is an increasing factor in work zone crashes,” said Michael White, executive director of the Kansas Contractors Association. “That’s why 38 other states have taken action to make their roadways safer with hands-free legislation.”
The Kansas House approved a bill during the 2024 session that would have prohibited drivers under age 18 from using a mobile telephone while behind the wheel and would have banned anyone operating a vehicle to use a cellphone in a school or construction zone. The Kansas Senate didn’t act on the bill.
“We applaud the Kansas House for taking the first step this year,” White said. “We’re looking forward to working with the Kansas Senate to move this issue forward next year so that Kansans aren’t left behind on this important safety front.”
Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga was named the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League MVP on Friday, one day ahead of the league’s championship match.
Chawinga set a new single-season NWSL record with 20 goals this year for the Current.
She also scored the lone goal in the team’s quarterfinal victory and both goals in the championship of the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup last month.
“From the moment Temwa came to Kansas City, we knew she was capable of playing at an MVP level,” general manager Caitlin Carducci said in a statement.
“Not only has she been an incredible player on the pitch, she’s also been an incredible teammate and representative of the organization off it. Temwa laid an incredible foundation with her play in 2024, and we’re so excited for what’s to come in the years ahead.”
Chawinga is the eighth NWSL Golden Boot winner to also win MVP in the same season since the league’s launch in 2013. She is the first African international to win either award.
The 26-year-old Malawi international arrived in Kansas City this year from the Chinese Super League and took the league by storm in the first season with her eye for goal and her game-changing speed.
Chawinga scored in 13 of the Current’s final 14 matches of the regular season, including goals in eight straight games, which was a first in league history.
She also scored a goal against all 13 other NWSL teams this season, another first, and she added five assists to the Current’s league-record 57 goals this season.
Chawinga’s 20 goals broke Sam Kerr’s previous record of 18 in a season, which Kerr scored in 21 games.
Chawinga played in 25 regular-season games this year.
The next closest scorer in the regular season was Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, who finished with 13 goals.
Banda scored in last week’s semifinal to help Orlando eliminate Kansas City from the playoffs.
Orlando takes on the Washington Spirit on Saturday in the NWSL Championship at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.
History of NWSL MVPs
2013: Lauren Holiday, FC Kansas City midfielder
2014: Kim Little, Seattle Reign FC midfielder
2015: Crystal Dunn, Washington Spirit forward
2016: Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash forward
2017: Sam Kerr, Sky Blue FC forward
2018: Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC midfielder
2019: Sam Kerr: Chicago Red Stars forward
2021: Jess Fishlock, OL Reign midfielder
2022: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC forward
2023: Kerolin, North Carolina Courage forward
The Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls sounded like Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday night as a capacity crowd of 3,400 watched Iowa defeat Kansas 71-58. The Hawkeyes jumped out to an 18-4 lead after the first quarter and never let the lead dip below eight points the rest of the way. They are now 5-0 for the first time since 2017.
Here are my top takeaways from the win and what it means for Iowa moving forward.
A season that began with national championship aspirations is now in danger of ending in disappointment.
Three weeks ago, the Kansas State Wildcats controlled their hopes of making the Big 12 title game and possibly the College Football Playoff. Now, they are just searching for another victory to salvage a once promising season.
“Obviously a disappointing performance on Saturday,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said about Saturday’s loss to Arizona State. “We had a long staff meeting yesterday and talked about a lot of things. We looked at offense, defense and special teams. I don’t think anybody could point a finger at anybody because I don’t think any unit played up to its capabilities.”
The Wildcats were in the driver’s seat after a victory against rival Kansas Oct. 26 in the annual Sunflower State Showdown. They were 7-1 with wins against Oklahoma State and Colorado, the lone blemish coming against BYU.
The victory against the Jayhawks was followed by two upset losses to Houston and the Sun Devils, which all but ended their chances of making the Big 12 championship game.
With two games left against Cincinnati and Iowa State, the Wildcats are basically playing for a more appealing bowl game.
“Our job this week is to right the ship, because we have another opportunity,” Klieman said. “I want our seniors to have an opportunity to go out well.”
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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