MoDOT, first responders warn of rising road deaths for 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
State and local leaders are warning the public about rising road deaths in Missouri for 2025.
Officials say 745 people have lost their lives on state roads this year, which is more than two deaths on average per day.
The Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Cole County EMS spoke at a news conference Wednesday morning in Columbia to discuss the issue.
"As of mid-October, we lost nearly as many lives on Missouri roadways as we did last year," said Capt. Scott White with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
MoDOT said statewide traffic deaths were 1% lower for 2025 compared to this time last year. The state has seen two years of falling traffic deaths, and fears that might not continue in 2025.
Wednesday morning, MSHP worked two deadly crashes. Crash reports say a 60-year-old man died in a Butler County crash and a 26-year-old woman died in a St Francois County crash.
With Daylight Saving and multiple holiday approaching, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging highway safety. Officials identified three big factors in deadly crashes: speeding, distracted driving and driving under the influence.
In 2024, MoDOT reports that 955 people died on Missouri highways, and more than 100 of those crashes were caused by distracted driving.
Eric Schroeter, MoDOT's Deputy Director, also shared concern around highway work zones. There's nearly 1,000 active work zones across the state. Schroeter said drivers are going through some zones at triple digit speeds.
To try and combat the issue, MoDOT said 75% of its active projects involve adding safety measures. The Highway Patrol says its also cracking down on its traffic enforcement efforts.
"After one month of implementation, S.T.O.R.M. (Strategic Traffic Operations and Rapid mobilization Team) has made over 1200 traffic stops and issued 855 citations," White said. "Troopers around the state have already issued nearly 1300 citations for violations of the Hands-Free Law since Jan. 1st."
ABC 17 News reported in September that Missouri's falling rate of traffic deaths at the midpoint of 2025 was slower than that of the nation at 8%. The Highway Patrol's Troop F, which covers much of Mid-Missouri, saw a 15 percent drop in traffic deaths compared to the same time in 2024.
Wednesday marked MoDOT's 9th annual 'Buckle Up, Phone Down Day'. Its goal is to one day, reach zero traffic deaths on Missouri highways.
