HANNIBAL– Gov. Mike Parson has proclaimed Oct. 22 as Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri in an effort to encourage Missourians to take two simple actions to save lives on the state’s highways – fasten their seat belts and put their phones down while driving.
For the fifth straight year, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with safety partners throughout the state, will mark Buckle Up Phone Down Day to encourage better driving behaviors.
“The Northeast District has created a BUPD Starter Kit that provides all the tools necessary for other entities interested in implementing the life-saving venture,” stated MoDOTs Communications Manager Marisa Ellison. “We offer fence kits that spell out “BUPD”, scripts, videos, educational incentives, and yard signs, as well,” stated Ellison. MoDOT is encouraging schools to dedicate a football game to BUPD and seatbelt checks. The kit, along with more information about the BUPD effort, can be found at http://www2.modot.org/BuckleUpPhoneDown/.
This year, in Northeast Missouri alone 84% of those killed on our roads, were not wearing a seatbelt and, statewide, nearly 720 people have died on Missouri roads, so far. It is estimated that more than 20% of car crashes across the country involve some sort of distraction, such as a cell phone.
“We encourage every organization in Northeast Missouri to participate in some way to help save lives on Missouri roads,” stated Ellison. Below is a list of organizations that have notified MoDOT of their participation in this event:
Businesses
Rider Drug Inc Pharmacy: Kirksville
Ratliff Reed Car Dealership: Kirksville
HNB Bank: Bowling Green
Hardees:Bowling Green
David Fiedler Agency American Family Insurance: Macon
Robert Myers American Family Insurance: Palmyra
The Missouri Bank: Warrenton
NEMO RPC
Logues Restaurant: Hannibal
Hannibal Bus Barn
Country Kitchen: Hannibal
Various Businesses hung up BUPD Mark Twain signs and put #BUPD on marquees
Missouri State Highway Patrol: Troop B
Schools
Bucklin High
North Shelby High
Madison High
Hannibal High
Schuyler
Wright City High
Silex High
Macon High
Palmyra High
Mark Twain High
Macon County R-IV High
Scotland County High
La Plata High
Bowling Green High
Moberly Area Community College
Chambers of Commerce
Warrenton
Kirksville
Hannibal
All Local Media
DMV
Moberly Missouri License Bureau
Memphis License Office
Paris License Office
Warrenton License Office
Mexico License Office
For more information about participating in this important event or for future events, please email necr@modot.mo.gov.
MoDOT’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that is safe, innovative, reliable and dedicated to a prosperous Missouri. Please do your part to help us achieve a safe system by wearing your seat belt every time and putting your phone down while driving…for your safety and our workers. Take the pledge – Buckle Up, Phone Down.