Pedestrian deaths in KC this year

According to a KCStar story, Kansas City has had 19 pedestrian deaths this year, as compared with 12 at this time last year.

Many of the deaths and serious injuries for both pedestrians and cyclists have come with the good weather this fall, which has encouraged many pedestrians and cyclists to spend more time outdoors.

At least three recent, serious pedestrian injuries or deaths have occurred as pedestrians attempt to cross 71 Hwy near Gregory. 71 Hwy is a very high speed expressway with limited opportunities for pedestrians to cross safely.

Channel 9 News reports that 71 Hwy also has more than its share of vehicle deaths, and quotes one nearby resident explaining the rash of vehicular and pedestrian deaths: "The road itself is the problem."

Pedestrian issues have been a hot topic on the KCStar's letters to the editor section recently. Selected comments:

• Only when Americans bridge the gap in thinking between their love and affection for proud, established, walkable communities and the lack of time people have to truly demand their new neighborhoods are more in tune with human (rather than automobile) needs will communities start looking more pre-World War II again.
  
  
• The roads in this area are not designed for pedestrians. There are not nearly enough sidewalks, and Carl Lewis couldn't cross some of the suburban multilane intersections before the light changes.
  
  
• [The article] has a photo captioned, "Cars as far as the eye can see, and not a pedestrian in sight." I'd like to offer an alternative caption, "Cars as far as the eye can see, and not a sidewalk or crosswalk in sight."
  
  Almost everything I need is located within a few blocks of my home, but walking across the major thoroughfares to get there is out of the question.