Decrease in roadway deaths in 2017

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 3 percent decrease in roadway deaths so far this year.

In Troop F, there’s been a 33 percent decrease.

“One of the hardest jobs that we do is to knock on a door and tell someone their loved one won’t be coming up. Unfortunately, we did it about 950 times last year,” said Sgt. Scott White with the Highway Patrol.

White said there’s really no true way to determine why the numbers go down. So far this year, the most common cause of a fatal crash is driving too fast in the conditions.

The second most common reason is speed.

White said to buckle up every time you get in a car. “Even though a seat belt won’t save your life every time and it won’t prevent a car crash, it can predict the outcome.”