After a few years of steadily declining traffic fatalities in Missouri, last year, there was a dramatic jump in the death rate, as officials report that 853 people were killed in fatal crashes in Missouri in 2015. This reportedly marks an 11.4 percent increase from the traffic fatality rate in 2014, when 766 lives were lost in deadly collisions on Missouri roads.
What may be more distressing than the spike in the traffic fatality rate, however, are the findings that:
- The leading causes of deadly crashes in Missouri include speeding, impaired driving and driver distraction, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP).
- 2015 saw the emergence of a few “troubling” trends, including improper lane use and drugged driving. In fact, these trends contributed to a “100 percent increase in expressway intersection fatalities and n 82 percent increase in overturning vehicle fatalities” when compared to the data from 2014.
- Nearly 2 in every 3 people killed in fatal collisions in Missouri in 2015 were not wearing their seatbelts.
Commenting on these findings, Colonel Bret Johnson of MSHP has stated:
Fifty percent of those not belted were also ejected from the vehicle…Seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries resulting from traffic crashes, so make sure everyone is properly restrained on every trip.
MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger expressed similar concerns, explaining that:
Combined efforts in engineering, law enforcement, education, and emergency medical services aid in the reduction of roadway fatalities…With lower gas prices in 2015, we are seeing an increase in the amount of overall travel on Missouri’s roads. Drivers need to take a proactive role by wearing their seat belt and focusing on their driving.
MoDOT Offers Tips to Motorists on How to Prevent Fatal Crashes
Given the spike in traffic fatalities in Missouri in 2015, MoDOT is now encouraging motorists to take a proactive approach to preventing deadly crashes. To this end, MoDOT is urging motorists to:
- Always obey the speed limit and drive slower when weather conditions warrant it.
- Always be alert and responsive to your surroundings.
- Always wear a seatbelt and make sure your passengers are appropriately restrained.
- Always comply with all Missouri traffic laws.
- Never drive impaired or distracted.
Contact a St Louis Car Accident Lawyer at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law
If you have been injured in a traffic crash, contact a St Louis car accident lawyer at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law. We have a long-standing commitment to serving our clients, and we are experienced at aggressively defending their rights and advancing their interests in any legal setting.
To learn more about how we can help you, attend a free, no obligations initial consult with one of our skilled attorneys. You can schedule this meeting by calling us at 573-333-3333 for our Missouri office or at 618-888-8888 for our Illinois office. You can also email us using the form at the right-hand side of the screen.