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MoDOT, Highway Patrol sign historic agreement
Agencies establish timeframe to safely clear traffic incidents from roadways
The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have signed the Missouri Open Roads Agreement, a first-of-its-kind document that provides guidance to emergency responders clearing incidents from Missouri highways. In the agreement, the agencies adopted a goal to clear traffic incidents safely from the roadway in no more than 90 minutes from the arrival of the first responder.

MoDOT, MSHP and other emergency responders are calling on drivers to do their part by staying alert, slowing down and, when possible, moving over to give them room to work. To remind motorists what’s on the line, the Federal Highway Administration has declared the week of Nov. 8-14 as Crash Responder Safety Week.

“Traffic congestion is a growing problem in Missouri, and we know most of it is related to incidents like crashes, stalled vehicles and debris,” said Ed Hassinger, MoDOT deputy director and chief engineer. “The Open Road Agreement will help strengthen the joint efforts of Missouri’s emergency responders to quickly and safely clear our highways of these incidents and get traffic back to normal.”

There were more than 131,000 traffic crashes in Missouri in 2020. As part of MoDOT’s work to maintain a safe and reliable transportation system, the department’s emergency response personnel respond to more than 6,000 traffic incidents each month on average.
"Every day, first responders place themselves in danger along Missouri roadways investigating crashes, assisting stranded motorists and enforcing traffic laws," said Colonel Eric Olson, MSHP superintendent. "Please slow down, move over and give them room to work."

When motorists approach any responders or emergency vehicles on the side of the highway with flashing lights, they should move over. Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary MoDOT, law enforcement or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights. To help protect those who protect us, all 50 states enforce some form of the Move Over law.

For more information about Crash Responder Safety Week and what drivers can do to protect Missouri’s emergency responders, visit savemolives.com.
November is Historic Bridge Awareness Month
Nestled in the backdrop of the Gateway Arch is another piece of St. Louis history — the Eads Bridge. Opened in 1874, it's the world's first streel-truss bridge. It's also the first bridge spanning the Mississippi River south of the Missouri River. Read more about its interesting history here.
First FARM Bridge closed for construction
The Route B bridge over Smokey Branch in Linn County is the first bridge designated under the program to have construction started on it. The program will replace deficient bridges statewide that meet certain criteria. Find out more about the program here.
Transportation history
Nov. 4, 1877: Portugal's Maria Pia Bridge made its public debut. The 1,158-foot bridge was the longest single-arch bridge in the world at that time. Its central span of 525 narrowly beat out the previous record of 520 feet, which was held by the Eads Bridge. Read more here.
Fatality update
Statewide fatality totals as reported on the
Missouri State Highway Patrol website as of Oct. 31, 2021
2021 totals - 844 / 2018 totals - 778
2020 totals - 836 / 2017 totals - 766
2019 totals - 733 / 2016 totals - 792

Take the challenge
When you get into any vehicle, buckle up your seat belt. If you are a driver, put the cellphone down. Join the 15,217 who have taken the pledge so far.
Missouri Dept. of Transportation | (888) 275-6636
P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270