Roadway fatalities decrease for the first time since 2019

Motorcycle fatalities reach record high during the same reporting period

According to preliminary data, there were 989 fatalities on Missouri roadways in 2023. This is a 6% decrease compared to 2022, when there were 1,057 fatalities. This is the first year since 2019 that Missouri has seen a decrease in roadway fatalities.

Despite the progress, this still amounts to nearly three lives lost on Missouri roadways every day, leaving plenty of room for improvement in 2024.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety continues to stress the four simple actions that save lives: Buckle Up, Phone Down, Slow Down and Drive Sober.

Some major characteristics observed in roadway fatalities include lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, speed and impairment. These behaviors continue to plague Missouri roadways.

63% of vehicle occupants killed in 2023 were not wearing a seat belt.
Distracted driving contributed to more than 100 deaths in 2023, and historically, more than half of the victims are someone other than the distracted driver.
Impaired driving accounted for approximately 17% of the fatalities in 2023.
Speed and other aggressive driving behaviors remained the top concern, contributing to more than half of the total fatalities.

While overall roadway fatalities were down, motorcyclist fatalities have never been higher. Preliminary numbers indicate that 175 motorcyclists were killed on Missouri roadways in 2023, a 14% increase over the 153 fatalities in 2022. This is the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities ever reported in Missouri, and almost 50% higher than the average number of motorcyclist fatalities prior to the repeal of Missouri’s all-rider helmet law in 2020. Safety professionals cite the lack of helmet use as a major contributing factor to the increase.

Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, covers all these safety topics and takes a comprehensive approach in creating a safe system to reduce and eliminate traffic fatalities.

For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan and to learn how all Missourians can help make the roadways safer, visit SaveMOLives.

Improve I-70 project receives federal funding

During his final State of the State Address, Gov. Parson announced that Missouri secured a $92.8 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant for Interstate 70. Missouri will use the INFRA grant for specific Improve I-70 projects, including truck parking, Intelligent Transportation System, work zone safety technology and workforce development. Learn more.

Traffic shifts to new Buck O'Neil Bridge in Kansas City

Kansas City's Buck O'Neil project reached a major milestone as traffic was diverted to the newly constructed bridge at the end of January. The old bridge was built in 1956 and is nearing the end of its life. The project's next step will be demolishing and replacing the old bridge. The anticipated completion for this project is currently set for December 2024. Learn more.

Get "Mahomes" safely from Super Bowl celebrations

If you’re planning a special celebration for the Super Bowl, think first about a safe and sober ride home. Super Bowl safety advertising across Missouri serves as a reminder of the importance of choosing a sober ride home, such as a taxi or rideshare. Law enforcement will be out in full force Super Bowl weekend, cracking down on impaired drivers. Learn more.

Missouri Transportation History - Feb. 9, 2014

On Feb. 9, MoDOT will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge opening. The roughly $239 million cable-stayed bridge crosses the Mississippi River and was a joint effort between Illinois and Missouri. The two states decided on a four-lane bridge that could be restriped to six lanes as traffic levels increased. See photos of the bridge.