March 29, 2018
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 Car crashes - a leading cause of death among children

MoDOT and the Department of Health and Senior Services know that car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1-13 in the United States. Safety professionals continue to stress the importance of buckling children in an age-appropriate safety seat. It's their best defense in a traffic crash. MoDHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams reminds, "Everyone, including pregnant women and children, should use seat belts or car seats every time they ride in a motor vehicle."

In 2016, 18 children less than eight years of age were killed and 47 suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri. Twenty-nine percent of the children killed were not restrained in a car seat or seat belt. Additionally in 2016, motor vehicle crashes were responsible for eight maternal deaths (the death of a mother while pregnant or up to a year after delivery) in Missouri.

"All parents and caregivers need to understand the importance of child passenger safety seats. It's not just about following the law; child passenger seats help prevent serious injury and may even save your child's life," said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna.

Missouri child safety seat technicians can provide education and car seat inspections. A list of car seat inspection stations and locations across the state can be found at seatcheck.org. Appointments may be necessary.

MoDOT urges everyone to get their child safety seats inspected. "When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for mistakes," said McKenna. "It's also all the more reason to always buckle up, everyone, every trip, every time - and put your cell phone down if you're driving - Buckle Up Phone Down."

For more information on child passenger safety or Buckle Up Phone Down, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.
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 3,146 individuals and 333 businesses who have joined the movement so far.

Click below to accept the challenge!

Social Media
Did You Know This?
45-day comment period opens for public involvement plan

MoDOT has updated the public involvement plan it uses in development of its long-range transportation plan, statewide transportation improvement program and consultation with non-metropolitan officials.

Interested persons may review the plan at - Public Involvement Plan. 

The 45-day comment period will run through May 7, 2018.

MoDOT recently added a new member to its regional leadership with District Engineer Chris Redline leading the Northwest District. Left to right: MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger, District Engineers: Travis Koestner, Southwest District; Tom Blair, St. Louis District; Brian Kidwell, Kansas City District; Paula Gough, Northeast District; Redline; Dave Silvester, Central District and Mark Shelton, Southeast District. 
Have You Seen This?
Photo of Ida Lewis taken in 1842 (from Wikipedia).
This day in transportation history

March 29, 1869 - Ida Lewis, who helped her invalid father Captain Hosea Lewis of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service operate Lime Rock Lighthouse in Rhode Island's Newport Harbor, rescued two soldiers from icy waters. This rescue earned her nationwide acclaim. 
Safer Roadways
Fatality update
Did you know... drowsy driving impairs performance and can ultimately lead to falling asleep at the wheel. Between 2014-2016 in Missouri, there were 50 fatal crashes involving a drowsy driver. Here are some tips to avoid drowsy driving: https://youtu.be/jJGczQMjfIc.
Statewide Fatality Totals
as reported on the
Missouri State Highway Patrol
website as of March 25, 2018:

2018 Totals as of 3-25-18 - 169 
2017 Totals as of 3-25-17 - 188 
2016 Totals as of 3-25-16 - 162 
2015 Totals as of 3-25-15 - 161 
2014 Totals as of 3-25-14 - 141 
2013 Totals as of 3-25-13 - 130 

Make sure everybunny is buckled up before you hop down the trail!

Missouri Dept. of Transportation | (888) 275-6636
P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270