In 2023, 991 people died in Missouri traffic crashes. During a Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission hearing last week, Chairman Dustin Boatwright said the state hopes to finish the year with a decline in traffic deaths.
“Traffic fatalities in Missouri are down 8% compared to last year,” he said. “We have now had four months in a row of fewer fatalities than the year before. Hopefully we can keep this trend up.”
According to Boatwright, a couple of initiatives have led to the reduction, including a “safest driver competition” among Missouri businesses.
“And the results show that participants who actively engaged in the competition improved their own driving behavior, and more impressively, were 75% less distracted than the average driver,” said Boatwright.
More than 70 Missouri high schools have signed up for a similar competition that targets teen drivers.
Boatwright said the state is also teaming up with law enforcement to promote safe driving over the holiday season. Beginning the week of Thanksgiving and running through the end of the year, a combination of public service announcements and increased traffic patrols will be used to remind all Missourians to drive sober.
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