MoDOT Issues Urgent Call for Safer Driving as Roadway Fatality Count Increases…

9th Annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day brings driver behavior into focus

JEFFERSON CITY - With roadway fatalities in Missouri continuing to trend closer to surpassing last year's count, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to use safe driving practices heading into the holiday and winter season. The effort coincides with the state's 9th annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day on Oct. 29, when various safety partners, schools and businesses throughout the state and nationwide encourage safe behavior behind the wheel.

To date in 2025, more than 700 people have died on Missouri roadways. Of the vehicle occupants killed, more than half were unbuckled. Distracted driving is also a leading cause of crashes in Missouri. In 2024, distracted driving was cited in crashes that claimed 106 lives, though that number is likely higher due to underreporting.

"We've made great progress in reducing fatalities each of the last two years, but in the last few months that progress has slowed significantly," said MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson. "Even more concerning is the impact behind each of those numbers. The lives lost are a fraction of the lives forever changed by poor driving decisions. BUPD Day is a call for everyone to take the simple actions they can to keep our roads a safe place to drive."

Despite notable progress in recent years, Missouri's downward trend in roadway fatalities is now at risk. In 2024, the state saw its second consecutive year of decline, with a total of 955 traffic-related deaths. However, 344 of those fatalities occurred between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31. If current patterns continue through the 2025 holiday travel season, Missouri could surpass last year's fatality numbers, ending a hard-earned streak of progress in roadway safety.

"Since launching BUPD, we've seen tremendous strides in the form of increased seat belt usage and a decreased percentage of unbuckled fatalities," said Nelson. "But distracted and aggressive driving remain dire concerns. These next few months of increased holiday travel and potential winter conditions are a reminder of how crucial it is to stay alert behind the wheel."

Drivers can accept the challenge to BUPD at modot.org/bupd and spread the word on social media using the hashtags #BUPD and #BUPDDay.

For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.

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