Write Up:

Providing safe and efficient travel in work zones is crucial to the safety of travelers which is why MoDOT crews are committed to conducting work zone operations as safely as possible. MoDOT diligently works to inform the public to pay attention while driving, slow down, move over, buckle up and drive without distractions. MoDOT’s goal of zero fatalities in work zones can only be achieved by continually educating the public and the highway construction industry. 

During the third quarter of 2024, there were five single vehicle on-system highway work zone fatality crashes resulting in seven fatalities and one off-system work zone crash which resulted in one fatality. Of the five on-system crashes and resulting fatalities, four passengers were unbuckled. The remaining two on-system fatalities involved a single vehicle motorcycle crash where both the driver and passenger were not wearing helmets. 

Poor driver behavior is the primary factor in fatal crashes and is largest challenge MoDOT faces to reduce fatalities in work zones. Community outreach and public awareness campaigns, such as Buckle Up Phone Down, are helpful, but ultimately MoDOT is dependent upon the driving public to make good choices when driving in work zones. 

Purpose of Measure:

This measure tracks the number of traffic-related and non-traffic-related fatalities, injuries and overall crashes occurring in work zones on state-owned and off-system 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). MoDOT staff query and analyze this data to identify work zone-related crash statistics. Missouri State Highway Patrol prioritizes entry of the crash reports by fatality, serious injury and property damage only.

The target for this measure is updated quarterly. This target is established by projecting a 10% improvement over a 5-year average.