Friday 29th March 2024

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The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety says during the first quarter of the year, there were 176 fatalities in Missouri as a result of traffic crashes. Though down slightly from the first quarter of 2020, officials remain concerned increases in speed observed during the early stages of the pandemic have carried over into this year.

Preliminary reporting indicates excessive speed played a role in nearly one-third of the traffic deaths so far this year, and this behavior has been exhibited even in vulnerable roadway environments such as work zones. In a recent work zone, law-enforcement officers issued 79 citations including several drivers traveling over 100 mph within just a few hours.

First quarter reports also show a high percentage of people killed in crashes were not using a seat belt. So far in 2021, 68 percent of the vehicle occupants killed in Missouri crashes were unbuckled. For pickup truck occupants killed in crashes, it’s even worse with 88 percent being unbuckled.

Speed and a lack of seat-belt use aren’t the only concerns. The number of fatalities under the age of 21 has increased by 58 percent during the first quarter.

Likewise, 19 pedestrians have been killed so far in Missouri traffic crashes. In 2020, a record number of pedestrians (127) were killed in Missouri, with impairment and distraction being two of the most common factors in these crashes. Thus far in 2021, 20 people have been killed in impaired-driving crashes, while another 12 people have been killed as the result of a distracted driver.

With April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month, all Missourians are encouraged to take the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” pledge. In addition, Missouri’s new strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero provides information and strategies for all Missourians to help promote four key messages: “Buckle Up, Phone Down,”slow down and drive sober. The plan can be viewed in full at www.savemolives.com.