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“With Memorial Day largely being the start of the summer travel season, more people will be hitting the roads.
Staying alert and focused when behind the wheel is what keeps your family and other families safe.”
Nicole Hood
State Highway Safety & Traffic Engineer
As summer approaches and traffic ramps up, MoDOT is advising travelers to be cautious and patient on Missouri roadways. Impaired driving, distracted driving, excessive speeds and not wearing seat belts are just a few of the concerns that can accompany the increased summer traffic. Districted driving alone contributed to over 15,000 crashes last year.
Be mindful of others by sharing the road responsibly. Buckle your seat belt, put your cell phone down, drive the speed limit and don't drive impaired. Thirty-three percent of Missouri fatalities last year involved a speeding driver and 17% involved a substance-impaired driver. Keep yourself and others safe, including highway work crews.
On any given day in Missouri, there are more than a thousand work zones for road and bridge construction or maintenance work. Please be aware of changing traffic conditions. Traffic could slow or stop unexpectedly, traffic lanes can merge, or equipment and workers can enter the roadway. In 2022, there were 15 people killed in work zone crashes, and MoDOT protective vehicles with truck/trailer-mounted attenuators were struck 36 times while protecting crews. Be aware and be prepared to slow down.
Not all work zones look alike, either. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. And they can also be short-term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.
Drivers can stay informed of work zone locations and traffic delays on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, also available as a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices. Use this tool to be aware of work zones and plan your route before you leave the house. Arrive at your destinations safely, and do your part in keeping you, your family and other road users safe.
You can find more safety information from our SaveMOLives partners.
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