February 12, 2012

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Road fatalities down 5 percent from last year

January 3, 2012 By

Based on preliminary crash report information, Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, says there was a 5 percent decrease in traffic fatalities in 2011 when compared to 2010.

“As of January 3, 2012, Missouri traffic crash fatalities totaled 773 for 2011, compared to 821 traffic crash fatalities in 2010. This is the first year since 1949 that Missouri has experienced less than 800 fatalities. I appreciate the tremendous enforcement and education efforts of troopers throughout the state, and I thank Missouri’s drivers for joining us in trying to make each year safer than the previous.”

The 2011 fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release was sent out.

 

Filed Under: News, Transportation

Patrol says New Year’s fatalities same as last year; accidents, injuries, arrests are up

January 3, 2012 By

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports five people were killed on Missouri roads during the New Year’s holiday counting period, which runs from 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30, to 11:59 p.m., Monday, Jan. 2.

Troopers investigated 163 traffic crashes with 75 injuries and 5 fatalities. In addition, troopers made 114 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

During last year’s New Year’s holiday counting period, troopers investigated 157 traffic crashes with 70 injuries. Statewide, there were five fatalities during the 2011 New Year’s holiday. Troopers made 90 arrests for driving while intoxicated during the 2010 New Year’s weekend.

Two fatalities occurred in the Troop F, Jefferson City area, one fatality each occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit area, the Troop B, Macon area, and the Troop I, Rolla area.

Robert D. Theissen, 23, of Morrison, died when the vehicle he was driving failed to negotiate a curve and travelled off the left side of the road. The vehicle then struck a ditch, overturned and struck a tree. Theissen was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on Missouri Highway 100 just west of County Road 203 in Gasconade County.

Kameron C. Gwin, 19, of Columbia, died when the vehicle he was driving travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Gwin was not wearing a seatbelt. Officials pronounced Gwin dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle who was wearing a seat belt was seriously injured. The crash occurred on Missouri Route Z just north of St. Charles Road in Boone County.

Joann Vice, 37, of Greentop, died when the vehicle she was riding in failed to stop at a stop sign and drove into the side of another vehicle. Vice was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. She died at the Northeast Regional Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle Vice was riding in, who was not wearing a seat belt, received moderate injuries in the crash, which happened on U.S. Highway 63 at Missouri Route W in Schuyler County.

Virginia F. Bruce, 40, of Kansas City, was killed when the vehicle she was driving was struck in the rear as it was disabled and stationary on the right shoulder of Interstate 470. Bruce was wearing a seatbelt. She was pronouced dead at the scene. A passenger received minor injuries.

Wayne C. Taylor, 44, of Steelville, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle head-on. Taylor was not wearing a seatbelt. The Crawford County Coroner pronounced Taylor dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle received serious injuries. The crash occurred on Missouri Highway 19 near Missouri Route O in Crawford County.

Filed Under: News, Transportation, Travel

Rep. Schoeller files voter ID bill, election reform legislation (AUDIO)

January 2, 2012 By

The perennial fight over whether voters should have to produce a valid ID to cast elections ballots is set to begin.

Rep. Shane Shoeller of Willard — who is also running for Secretary of State — has filed a bill that would require a photo ID requirement for voters. He says it’s common-sense legislation.

AUDIO: Jessica Machetta reports (2:21 min.)

The measure was vetoed by Gov. Jay Nixon last year, and the Supreme Court struck down the requirement in 2006. Opponents of the measure say it disenfranchises poor and elderly voters. Nonetheless, Schoeller thinks it will gain approval by the Republican-led General Assembly, and hopes if it does that Nixon will pen the legislation into law.

Schoeller is also proposing legislation that would create two state commissions — one would have authority over ballot summaries for initiative petitions, the other would be responsible for drawing new borders for Missouri’s 163 state House districts and 34 state Senate districts.

The legislative session begins January fourth.

Schoeller says the budget will undoubtedly be front and center of this year’s legislative agenda. It’s the one thing legislators are required by the constitutional to pass each year. Schoeller says he’ll be watching closely how the state’s public schools fit into that budget, and doing his part to make sure schools aren’t short-changed. Schoeller says another issue that will likely come before legislators is whether to make Interstate 70 a toll road. He says he will vote against that measure.

Filed Under: Education, Elections, Finance, Legislature, News, Politics & Government, Transportation

New regulations for commercial truck drivers (AUDIO)

December 29, 2011 By

The National Transportation Department has released new regulations on what hours commercial truckers can drive.

Missouri’s Transportation Department spokesman Chuck Gohring says the new regulations, which decrease the number of hours truckers can work per week and restricts drivers from being on the road between 1 and 5 am, are to keep drivers safe.

He says the rules hadn’t changed in decades, and it was time for regulations to be updated. Also, another new regulation, this one created by Missouri’s transportation department, commercial truck drivers in Missouri are prohibited from using their mobile phones while on the road.

He says there hasn’t been a formal response from any truckers unions to his office, but thinks there probably will be.

AUDIO Allison Blood reports. Mp3 [1:00]

Filed Under: News, Transportation

Transportation Department introduces Map App (AUDIO)

December 28, 2011 By

The map app finds your location and shows the road conditions in the area.

The Traveler Information App, better known as the “map app” is now available from the State Transportation Department. They have developed it to give people an idea of how clear the larger roads in the state are as the weather gets bad this winter. Department Spokesman Matt Hiebert says the application gives a map of the state, with all the major roads highlighted. They’re color coded to indicate road conditions or construction.

He says those working in the field update the conditions of the road by radioing back to MoDOT headquarters, and the status is changed within five minutes. It shows major roads and highways, but also some smaller roads.

The app is free for iPhone and Android phones. Hiebert says this app should not be used while people are in the car because it’s dangerous to drive distracted. He says also this should be used for planning ahead for what the highway conditions are, and once someone is in the car, it’s probably too late to plan a new route.

MoDOT urges motorists to not use this app while driving.

He says he expects this app to be very popular during the winter months. Those without smart phones can visit MODOT’s website for the same information, or call MODOT to speak to someone about road conditions.

The department put out another application earlier in the year called the Show Me My Buzz App, which gives people an idea of if they’ve had too much to drink, and if they have, it gives an option to call a local cab company. Hiebert says it’s been downloaded thousands of times, so this new app should also be very popular. The department is working on ideas for a few new applications, but none are in the development phase. Hiebert says hopefully the more information that people have at their fingertips, the safer they will be on the roads.

AUDIO Allison Blood reports. Mp3 [1:03]

Filed Under: News, Science & Technology, Transportation
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