MoDOT and MSHP host eighth annual BUPD Day press event

Highlighted enforcement of the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free law starting Jan. 1

The eighth annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day took place on Oct. 30. MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with safety partners from AAA and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, hosted a press conference at the Highway Patrol headquarters. Click here for photos of the press conference.

The main focus of the press event was to promote enforcement of the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free law. In August 2023, the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in Missouri, prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has been educating drivers on the new law for the past year, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will begin writing citations for driving distracted beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

Multiple state agencies from Missouri and other state DOTs took part too by sharing videos and BUPD messages on social media. Missouri high schools are currently participating in AAA Missouri’s Show Me Your Score Safest Driver Competition through February 2025.

BUPD Day challenges all drivers to do the two most important steps while driving to reduce your risk of a fatal crash. The goal of BUPD Day is to have zero traffic fatalities on Missouri roads throughout the day. For more information, visit the BUPD website.

Improve I-70 project update paves way for progress

Crews with the Columbia to Kingdom City Improve I-70 project started pouring the first section of concrete for what will be the third lane and inside shoulder of I-70 West. The contractor will cover the entire 20-mile project with three lanes of brand-new pavement. Next year, traffic will shift to the three new lanes as the contractor rebuilds the same span of I-70 East. Learn more.

Road to Rocheport highlights project's final stretch

The Rocheport Bridge is nearing completion, with the new bridge expected to open to traffic by the end of the year. This past month, the final girder was placed on the bridge deck. The most recent video in the "Road to Rocheport" series features Project Director Mike Schupp providing an update on the final stretch of the project. Click here to view the video.

Highway Safety launches new educational program

MoDOT's Highway Safety team, in partnership with the Sedalia SAFE Coalition, unveiled a new program called “Smart Riders, Smart Town.” Students from Sedalia’s Parkview Elementary School took part in the new education initiative, which included a Traffic Garden. The initiative's goal is to become a hands-on extension of the currently online-only Smart Riders program.

Highway Safety Spotlight: Triennial Safety Plan

The Triennial Highway Safety Plan uses grant funds to address 12 core performance measures ranging from traffic fatalities to seat belt use. Oct. 1 began a new grant cycle, and the Highway Safety Office received 600 applications, totaling $39 million in requests. Projects include driver education, child passenger safety training and crash extrication equipment. Learn more.

www.modot.org

Missouri Dept. of Transportation | (888) 275-6636

P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270