Write Up:

Safety is MoDOT’s number one priority. Whether resident, visitor to the state or highway worker, the ultimate goal is ensuring 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 188 fatalities in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 18 fatalities for the same quarter in 2023.  The preliminary total for 2023 fatalities after four quarters is 992, which is a decrease from 2022 totals by 65 fatalities.  Preliminary data indicates Missouri has seen a 6.14% decrease in traffic fatalities from 2022. The target for 2024 is 995 fatalities or fewer.

Focusing on Show-Me Zero, there are currently 55 counties with zero fatalities in the first three months of 2024. There were 13 days with zero fatalities, including two instances when two 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.