Illinois grandfather travels U.S. raising awareness to dangers of distracted driving

Ken Kelnhofer, a 69-year-old father of four and grandfather of seven from Girard, Illinois, stopped in Imperial last week on his 48-state road trip bringing awareness to the dangers of distracted driving.         
   Kelnhofer and his family suffered a terrible loss three years ago on May 6, 2020. His 18-year-old grandson, Colby Rheude, died in a horrible collision with a semi as a result of distracted driving.
“It was a bright, sunshine afternoon--and the worst day of our lives,” Kelnhofer said.
“An eyewitness stated that seconds before the crash, Colby leaned down to pick up something. What he dropped and bent to pick up, we’ll never know,” he said. “We did not know that the innocent decision to pick up, whatever, could cost him his life. Our family and his friends were devasted.”
In the beginning, the family decided to begin raising money for two $500 scholarships in remembrance of his grandson to be given to two seniors each year graduating from North Mac High School in Virden, Illinois, where Colby attended school. Virden and Girard, where the family members lived, are just four miles apart. They were a part of each other’s everyday lives.
They started the “Colby Rheude Memorial Scholarships Fund” following the funeral, and so far, they have had enough donations to provide eight $500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Colby’s high school.
Kelnhofer’s story could be a familiar heart-wrenching one for many, many people, so he decided to do something in Colby’s honor and bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving, especially with teenagers, he said.
Kelnhofer came up with the idea to drive through all lower 48 states, talking to people about distracted driving, handing out flyers and telling Colby’s story. Everyone in his hometown he mentioned his plan to thought it was great, and they offered to pitch in.
“I was shocked at the amount of support we were receiving,” he said with emotion.
Someone started a “Go Fund Me” page to raise money for the gasoline for the 10,000-mile trip and raised nearly all of the $3,000 he estimated he would need.
“It was called the ‘Colby Smiles’ Road Trip. I figured it would take about 26 days to complete, beginning in central Illinois on September 8 and ending in Jacksonville, Florida. Some states I would be traveling ‘through’ while others I would have to ‘catch a corner of’,” he explained.
Nebraska was his 18th state and one of the most difficult to figure out a route so he would be able to drive through Nebraska somewhere, he said with a chuckle.
“I planned to travel around 400 miles a day, avoiding big cities by driving around them. Most nights I either stayed in a hotel or enjoyed ‘car-camping’. I was fortunate to have friends in Texas and Alabama who invited me to spend the night,” said Kelnhofer.
When he slept in his van, he stayed in a Walmart parking lot, roadside lighted park and one night in front of a police station, just to be sure he was safe, he laughed.
He said he enjoys driving, seeing lots of places and experiencing different climates. The long miles wore on him a little, but he really enjoys traveling.
“Sometimes I wonder if I’m making an impact by talking to all the people along the way. I give out flyers about Colby and tell our story, hoping they will show friends and their kids and talk about distracted driving. I actually have talked to many people who had family or friends they had lost,” he said.
By traveling the country talking to as many people as possible, Kelnhofer hopes by sharing about his grandson and the terrible loss they have suffered, he can raise awareness of teenage distracted driving and inspire donations to the “Colby Rheude Memorial Scholarships Fund.”
“I discuss with the people I meet the terrible consequences of distracted driving, especially among teenage drivers. I have a large display on my vehicle of dozens of smiling, happy photos of Colby as he grew up from a cute, playful and adventurous kid to an athletic, smart, good-looking young man with his whole, promising future ahead of him. But then—it was ripped away in a split-second,” said Kelnhofer.
He went on to say that he hopes Colby’s story about a wonderful but too-short life will help people associate his story with the real-life tragedy that distracted driving can quickly cause.
“Just put down the phone, the devices, focus on driving and live longer,” he added.
“Colby was the shining star of our family’s lives, and his death left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled,” Kelnhofer said.
Statistics
Driver distractions are incredibly dangerous. Over 3,000 people die in the U.S. every year due to distracted drivers. Young adults between the ages of 20 to 29 make up 25% of distracted driving fatalities with the highest number of fatalities being 25 to 34-year-olds.
Underage drivers aged between 15 and 19 years old were more likely to get distracted than older drivers, and these drivers were likely to be involved in fatal crashes where someone died. Nine percent of all teenagers who die in traffic crashes were killed in crashes involving distracted driving.
Talking and texting on cell phones is a leading cause of distracted driving and accounts for 12% of all car accidents on U.S. roadways according to Forbes Advisor. In 44% of distracted driving accidents that resulted in fatalities, the deceased victim was between 15 and 19 years old.
Taking your eyes off the road for five seconds at 55 mph is the equivalent to traveling the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
4 types of distracted driving
1. Visual distractions-taking your eyes off the road
2. Manuel distractions-taking your hands off the steering wheel
3. Auditory distractions-loud or catchy music can take your mind off your driving or block sounds outside of the vehicle you need to hear.
4. Cognitive distractions-everything that takes your mind and focus off of driving: phone, talking to passengers, daydreaming, texting, maps, reading books
Avoid multitasking while driving. Passengers should speak up if they’re in a vehicle with a distracted driver. Parents must talk to their teens or young adults about the responsibilities and rules involved in driving. Driving requires maximum attention.
Contacts
Kelnhofer said he blogs on his Facebook page every night about his day’s travels and posts pictures. If anyone would like ask him questions, they can go to his email: kelnhofe@royell.org or call 217- 741-7544.
To donate to the scholarship fund, go to Facebook for “Colby Smiles Road Trip”
Venmo @COLBY-SMILES and (last four of phone – 7544)
To send a check by U.S. mail:
Colby Smiles
153 S. 2nd Street
Girard, IL  62640