Coalition Working to Save Lives on Missouri Roads

JEFFERSON CITY - How we can keep people from dying on our highways was the topic of a meeting yesterday sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. Called the Blueprint Regional Roundup, the event brought more than 100 highway safety advocates together to find the best ways to save lives on Missouri roads.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is made up of federal, state and local officials. In 2004, the group created Missouri’s Blueprint for Safer Roadways, which outlines eight essential strategies to reduce fatal and serious injuries from traffic crashes.

In 2004, 1,130 people were killed in Missouri highway crashes. As of Dec. 4, 1,145 people have died this year on Missouri highways.

“This meeting was really about how we’re going to try to save lives on our roadways,” said Leanna Depue, Highway Safety Director and chairperson of the Blueprint’s executive committee. “Our goal is to have less than 1,000 fatalities a year on our roads by 2008, and we’re hoping that by sharing ideas and best practices, we’ll be able to get more people to Arrive Alive.” 

The meeting featured presentations, exhibits and working sessions. Participating organizations included the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, ThinkFirst, St. John’s Hospital, the Missouri Safety Council and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving. Several traffic crash survivors shared their stories with the group.

Issues discussed included public information and enforcement efforts, funding and legislative activities. The coalition unveiled its new Web site, www.savemolives.com, and the Missouri Highway Patrol presented a new video designed to encourage safe driving among teens.

“There are many issues we’re hoping to positively affect through our efforts,” Depue said. “Reducing impaired and inattentive driving and encouraging motorists to buckle up are some of the messages we’re trying to get out there.

“No one ever plans to be in a traffic crash,” Depue said. “But it happens. Traffic crashes take and change lives forever. We’re just trying to save your life, and the lives of your friends and family.”

Restrain Yourself Award recipients also were recognized at the meeting. The Restrain Yourself contest challenged high school students across the state to develop 30-second television public service announcements to convince their peers to buckle up. The contest is part of a campaign prompted by statistics from a recent MoDOT safety belt survey that found only 56 percent of Missouri teenagers use safety belts when driving or riding in a vehicle.

For more information about the coalition, Missouri’s Blueprint for Safer Highways, or how to Arrive Alive, visit www.savemolives.com.