MoDOT Urges Safe Driving for Fourth Year of Declining Roadway Fatalities

MoDOT Sees Progress in Reducing Roadway Fatalities

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is pushing for a fourth consecutive year of fewer roadway fatalities as the holiday and winter driving season approaches. Missouri has seen a notable trend, approaching a milestone not observed since 2011: a potential four-year streak of declining traffic deaths.

Buckle Up Phone Down Marks 10th Anniversary

This week, Missouri observes the 10th annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day (BUPD Day), a movement dedicated to emphasizing seat belt safety and curbing distracted driving. The initiative involves safety partners, schools, and businesses across the state and nation, all promoting responsible driving behaviors and public safety on Missouri's roads.

2026 Roadway Fatalities and Current Concerns

So far in 2026, Missouri has recorded 716 roadway fatalities. Alarmingly, more than half of those who died while in vehicles were not wearing seat belts. Distracted driving continues to be a major danger as well, with 97 crash deaths officially attributed to distraction in 2025, though MoDOT notes that actual figures could be higher due to underreporting.

MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson highlighted the importance of continued vigilance: “We’ve made progress in reducing fatalities each of the last three years, but if we want to achieve a fourth year in a row of reductions, we’re going to need everyone’s help.”

Holiday and Winter Driving Risks on Missouri Roads

The months of November and December are critical for road safety. Traditionally, increased travel, holiday events, shorter daylight hours, and the risk of adverse winter weather all elevate the dangers. Last year alone, Missouri experienced 144 traffic fatalities during this two-month window. Nelson warned that "These next two months are not only critical in ending the year with another reduction but also ensuring you make it to your holiday gatherings safely."

Encouraging Responsible Driver Behavior

The Buckle Up Phone Down campaign continues to focus on practical steps for improving safety: always wearing a seat belt and avoiding phone use behind the wheel. Since its launch, seat belt usage across Missouri has risen, resulting in a smaller percentage of unbuckled fatalities. Despite these advances, distracted and aggressive driving remain serious issues.

MoDOT invites all drivers to participate in the BUPD challenge by pledging at modot.org/bupd and sharing the message on social media using the hashtags #BUPD and #BUPDDay.

Call to Action as Year-End Approaches

In the lead-up to the end of the year, MoDOT and its partners are asking every Missouri driver to help keep the roads safe. “BUPD Day represents a call to action for everyone to make the simple decisions that keep our roads safe,” Nelson said. Alongside organizations and schools across the state, MoDOT hopes to see the trend of declining roadway fatalities continue through collective action and heightened driver awareness.

Source: suntimesnews.com.