KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Police say that so far this year Highway 71 is tied with Interstate 435, with four traffic deaths each.

Highway 71, also known as Bruce R. Watkins Drive, stretches for 10 miles from Truman to Bannister Roads. It has traffic lights, crosswalks and lower speed limits than the Interstate, so it surprised some that just as many fatal accidents occurred on both roads.

Sgt. Randall Sims of the Kansas City Police Department said that in most of the fatal crashes, people were not driving in a prudent manner. But that does not ease some residents' minds, KMBC reported.

Another concern about Bruce R. Watkins Drive is the number of pedestrians who have been struck by cars. KMBC reported that in the past few weeks, three people have been hit by vehicles on Highway 71, the most recent of which happened Sunday.

Sims said that the pedestrians were breaking the law by jaywalking, but one resident said the road itself is the problem.

Carl Moore lives near Highway 71. He says the Missouri Department of Transportation should take some of the lights out and build more crosswalks to make the highway safer.

Police said they have increased traffic surveillance and speed checks along the highway.

MO-DOT, which maintains Watkins Drive, has no plans to make any immediate changes, KMBC reported. Officials said the department is monitoring the roadway to see if any future changes will be necessary.