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 called Show-Me Zero. This plan is 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 193 fatalities in the first quarter of 2024, which is an increase of 23 from the same reporting period in 2023. There were 230 fatalities in the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of 26 from last year’s reporting period. The third quarter of this year reported 259 fatalities, a decrease of 62 fatalities compared to the same reporting period last year. This year, fatalities have decreased by 8.70% when compared to the first three quarters of 2023. The preliminary total fatalities in 2023 is 991, which is a decrease of 66 fatalities reported in 2022. Preliminary data indicates Missouri has seen a 6.24% decrease in traffic fatalities from 2022. The target for 2024 is 987 fatalities or fewer.

The Show-Me Zero safety plan indicates Missouri has 13 counties with zero fatalities in the first nine months of 2024, and there were 26 days with zero fatalities, including one instance 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 (TMS). The rate of fatal crashes chart displays 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% Vehicle Miles Traveled (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.