Write Up:

Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) play a vital role in the nation’s economy by transporting the products that are needed. By tracking the number of CMV-involved fatalities, MoDOT can target educational and enforcement efforts, as well as improve safety features along Missouri roadways. MoDOT partners with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Kansas City Police Department and St. Louis County Police Department to keep people safe while traveling in and around CMVs.

While efforts from MoDOT and the partner agencies are effective in improving safety on roadways, Missouri experienced an increase in the number and rate of fatalities involving CMVs in 2021 compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2022, fatalities involving a CMV have increased from 1.33 to 1.34 per 100 million CMV vehicle miles traveled. In 2022, Missouri experienced an increase of six fatalities involving a CMV as compared to 2021. This resulted in a 2022 fatality rate of 1.34 compared to 1.28 for 2021. The target for 2022 was 96 or fewer fatalities and unfortunately this goal was not met.

Purpose of the Measure:

This measure tracks annual trends in fatalities involving Commercial Motor Vehicles. This data guides the development and focus of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan, which is the plan required to receive Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funds.

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 a part of the Transportation Management System. The fatal rate on the chart displays the annual fatality rate per 100 million miles traveled for commercial motor vehicles for these same crashes. The targets are based on a 13% improvement rate from the Missouri Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan for 2022.