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March 19, 2015
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Pay Attention in Work Zones - Or Pay the Price!

National Work Zone Awareness Week is March 23-27
Every spring, MoDOT starts preparing for the summer season of roadwork across the state. Part of that preparation includes the observance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is March 23-27.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention as they drive past work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.


Driver inattention was the second highest cause of work zone crashes in 2014. Driving too closely was number one.
 
The average text takes five seconds to read. Traveling at 55 mph, you will travel more than the length of a football field-blindfolded. MoDOT's slow moving maintenance operations move as slow as 10 mph and if you aren't paying attention to the road, you will come up on the closed lane very quickly. 
 

Highway workers make every effort to work safely, but we count on motorists to pay attention, slow down, and use caution when driving through work zones. 

                                                   

Any time highway workers are present on a Missouri roadway - whether it's a long term lane closure, a moving operation, or shoulder work - your safety and the safety of those workers depends on drivers' focus and attention. The state Slow Down and Move Over law includes MoDOT vehicles parked with amber/white lights flashing. Motorists are required to slow down and change lanes when approaching MoDOT vehicles or law enforcement and emergency vehicles with lights flashing.   

 

"The law is simple: If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, move over to give workers and emergency personnel plenty of room to stay safe," said MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer Beth Wright. "If you can't move over on a crowded highway, you should slow down as you pass them. We want you and our workers to make it home safe every day."

Click image to watch video.


The severe downturn in transportation funding in Missouri means that MoDOT's focus is increasingly on preservation of the existing transportation system. It requires $485 million per year to keep Missouri's roads and bridges in the condition they are in today. MoDOT's construction budget is slightly above that figure now, but by 2017 it will fall to $325 million. That will lead to the eventual deterioration of highways across the state. Lots of resurfacing and bridge replacement projects will be required and that is the type of work that affects drivers the most.

 

To help make your travel safer, visit MoDOT's Traveler Information map at traveler.modot.org/map and find out what work zones you'll encounter before you go.

Motorists can comment on the quality of MoDOT's work zones with an online customer survey at Rate Our Work Zones. 
Shared-Use Paths 
Did you know that Missouri features more than 606 miles of shared-use paths for bicyclists and pedestrians?   

Shared-use paths are used by pedestrians, cyclists and in some cases even horses. The Katy Trail is an example of a shared-use path.

Have you checked out MoDOT's bicycle and pedestrian webpages? There's a ton of information, including state bicycle maps, links to other Web pages dedicated to cyclists and pedestrians, links to the major Missouri bicycle trails, traffic maps and much more. Take a look - Bike/Ped Program.
Work zone safety is 
a serious matter. Check out these current statistics.
In 2014 seven people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes and an additional two on the local system, for a total of nine fatalities.

Between 2010 and 2014, 46 people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes and an additional seven on the local system, for a total of 53 fatalities

The best d efense 
in a
work zone crash,
or any crash,
is a seat belt.

Between 2010 and 2014, 2,614 people were injured in Missouri work zones on state system routes and an additional 733 on the local system, for a total of 3,347 injuries.

Since 2000, 16 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty.

In 2014, 62 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities were not wearing a seat belt. 
Tough Choices Ahead
The Challenge 
In 2017, MoDOT's construction funding will drop to $325 million.

Tough choices for roads and bridges will have to be made. 

Actions MoDOT
Has Taken 
We've tightened our belts by reducing staff, facilities and equipment.

We've cut costs through innovation and technology.
 
We've delivered projects on time and under budget.
 

Take Action
Learn more about the 

Ask tough questions and help determine the right choices for Missouri. 

Discuss the issues with your family and friends. 

Use social media to make your voice heard. 

Contact your elected officials. 
Social Media
Safer Roadways
Buckle Up. It's No Joke. Teen Seatbelt Campaign Enforces State Law.
Warm weather will be here soon and teens will be hitting the road to enjoy spring break, prom, and other great springtime activities.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants teens to think about how dangerous a car ride can be if they don't buckle up. An element of this year's teen seat belt campaign reminds teens that their safety is to be taken very seriously - "Buckle Up. It's No Joke."

"Only 67 percent of Missouri's teens buckle up," said Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Ron Replogle. "To combat this low rate law enforcement will be out in full force March 15-31 to crack down on unbelted drivers and save lives."

Teens are most likely to follow parental example. Parents who buckle up on a regular basis have kids that make the same safe choice. Under Missouri's Graduated Driver License Law, permit drivers and all passengers must wear safety belts.

Nearly seven out of 10 vehicle occupants killed in Missouri traffic crashes in the past three years were unbuckled. When evaluating teen vehicle occupants, nearly eight out of 10 were unbuckle d.  

For more information visit saveMOlives.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter at Save MO Lives. Buckle up and ARRIVE ALIVE. 

Click image to watch video.
Off The Road News
No MOre Trash! Bash 2015
Please join MoDOT this April for the annual No MOre Trash! Bash to clean up Missouri and work together for a litter-free state. Picking up litter is a great way to exercise, get fresh air and create a cleaner place to work, live and play. During the 2014 Bash, more than 127,000 bags of trash and several truckloads of debris were cleaned up in April. People also attended numerous educational events stressing the importance of not littering.

Many of you are already keeping your community and public spaces clean and we thank you for that service! To raise awareness of No MOre Trash! in April, we invite you to:
  • pick up litter
  • educate others about litter
  • conduct a litter-free activity
  • encourage friends and family to participate
MoDOT Adopt-A-Highway groups are invited to participate in an April activity. Report your activity to MoDOT and you will receive a No MOre Trash! Bash 2015 lapel pin.

No MOre Trash! Bash 2015 supports the year-round litter-prevention campaign No More Trash!, a partnership of the Missouri departments of Conservation and Transportation and thousands of volunteers.

More information will be posted soon on MDC's website at www.nomoretrash.org
 
Have You Seen This?
Where Innovating is the Order
of the Day
MoDOT's Innovations Challenge program was chosen as the cover story for the most recent edition of the Federal Highway Administration's Innovator newsletter.

The Innovations Challenge is designed to identify and share the best department innovations in the areas of tools and equipment, products and productivity. Read Article.
AASHTO Study Evaluates How DOTs Communicate Environmental Benefits of Transportation
A report analyzing how state transportation agencies communicate the environmental benefits of transportation and how those communications could be improved has been issued by the Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO.

The report, Benefits of Transportation: Telling America's Transportation and Environment Story, was developed in part through an analysis of state DOT posts on social media and found that communications about environmental benefits can and should be increased, with the emphasis on improved quality of life.

"There are opportunities to advance the good work being done at DOTs by broadening the reach and frequency of environment-related messages," the report said. Read Report.
Missouri Dept. of Transportation | (888) 275-6636
P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270