RESOLUTION NO. 220913

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Sponsor:  Councilmember Heather Hall

Recognizing October 21, 2022, as Buckle Up, Phone Down Day in Kansas City and challenging the City of Kansas City to make our streets, highways, and interstates much safer.

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WHEREAS, automobile accidents are an issue that greatly impacts our community, with Missouri ranking among some of the worst states for automobile accidents. With more than 157,000 traffic accidents in Missouri in 2019, 900 deaths in 2019 and 55,000 injuries, the casualties from these accidents are heartbreaking. Kansas City has more accidents than any other city in Missouri with 20,500 accidents in 2019; and

WHEREAS, the United States leads the world in car accidents, with nearly two times the crashes than other developed countries. In the U.S. car accidents cause approximately $871 billion dollars in damage and $380 million dollars in medical costs; and

WHEREAS, distracted driving significantly increases your risk of causing or being involved in an accident. Nine in ten people use the phone while driving and 70% of those who drive distracted are 22 years of age and over; and

WHEREAS, when used correctly, wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45%, and risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50%. On average, the impacts of seat belts are instrumental in saving lives as since 1975 seat belts have saved over 374,276 lives; and

WHEREAS, Kansas City needs to set a precedent to the rest of Missouri as the leader in casualties. The simple act of buckling your seatbelt and putting your phone away can save drivers, passengers, and the lives of pedestrians. Buckle Up Phone Down day is a growing movement in the United States as we recognize the importance of roadway safety. However, Missouri is 1 of 2 states with no texting and driving law, and 1 of 8 with no hands free laws; and

WHEREAS, Buckle Up Phone Down day is an annual day focusing on the safety of all motorists, passengers, pedestrians, visitors and residents on Missouri roads NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby recognizes October 21, 2022 as Buckle Up Phone Down day in Kansas City and pledges to drive undistracted and buckled up; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Jon Nelson, Missouri Department of Transportation, and Kristin Danner, City of Kansas City, with the Mayor and Council recognizing their dedication to Kansas City and its citizens for safety on our roads. 

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