Write Up:

Safety is MoDOT’s number one priority. Whether resident, visitor to the state or highway worker, the ultimate goal is to assure that everyone returns home safely.             

MoDOT supports zero fatalities by 2030 as part of the strategic highway safety plan, Show Me Zero, designed to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes using the four key disciplines of traffic safety: engineering, enforcement, education and emergency response.

There were 170 fatalities in the first quarter, 251 in the second quarter and 299 in the third quarter of 2023. This is a decrease of 31 fatalities during the first quarter, a decrease of 10 fatalities in the second quarter and another decrease of 12 fatalities in the third quarter of this year. Fatalities in the third quarter of 2023 decreased by 4% from the same time period in 2022. The total for 2022 after four quarters is 1,057, which is an increase over 2021's total by 41 fatalities. Even though Missouri has only seen a 4% increase, the state has not seen numbers this high since 2006. The target for 2023 is 948 fatalities or fewer.       

Focusing on Show Me Zero, there are currently 13 counties where zero fatalities have occurred within the first nine months of 2023. There were 30 days with zero fatalities, including three instances when two sequential days occurred without a fatal crash. There was also one instance where three sequential days occurred without a fatal crash.

Purpose:

This measure tracks the number of fatalities quarterly, annually and 5-year average trends resulting from traffic crashes on all Missouri roadways.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Missouri law enforcement agencies submit a vehicle accident report form to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to be entered into a statewide traffic crash database. The database automatically updates MoDOT’s crash database system, which is part of the Transportation Management System. The rate of fatal crashes charts display annual and 5-year average fatality and injury rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled for these same crashes. In addition, the fatality rate chart includes the national average. 

Targets are based on Zero by 2030 fatality reduction, 1% VMT increase and non-motorized reduction based on overall fatality and reductions. An exception is made for instances where the baseline 5-year rolling average is less than the calculated target using the parameters previously described. When this occurs, the baseline will be used as the target.