Missouri Coalition For Roadway Safety Reaches Goal Of Less Than 1000 Traffic Deaths One Year Early

Colonel James F. Keathley addresses a group of media representatives and highway safety supporters during a news conference in Columbia, Missouri on January 11, as Missouri Department of Transportation Director, Pete Rahn looks on. The news conference, one of three held across the state that day, was to announce the meeting of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety's goal of less than 1000 traffic deaths a year early, and to provide the Patrol's and Coalition's plans for continuing the success through 2008.

In three separate news conferences held in Columbia, St. Louis and Springfield on Friday January 11, Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that the less than 1000 traffic deaths a year goal had been met one year early by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. Also speaking at the news conferences were MoDOT Director, Pete Rahn, and Director of Revenue, Omar Davis.

In his comments Colonel Keathley stated in October 2007, the Patrol began a new traffic safety campaign entitled, "I'm Saving Lives. Help Wanted." Through this campaign, we are asking the public to help decrease the number of traffic fatalities in Missouri by driving the speed limit, paying attention when they are driving, wearing a seat belt, and to refrain from drinking and driving. Along with the "I'm Saving Lives. Help Wanted." campaign, we announced our goal of less than 1,000 traffic deaths in 2008. We have good news. For the second year in a row, Missouri has seen a double digit decrease in traffic fatalities.

In 2006, Missouri experienced a 13 percent decrease; in 2007, there was an additional 11 percent decrease in traffic crash fatalities.Even better news is: Preliminary numbers indicate Missouri will have less than 1,000 traffic crash fatalities in 2007, thus reaching our goal a year early. Although we met our goal in 2007, we still have that goal for 2008.

The keys to traffic safety are the four Es: Enforcement, Education, Emergency Services, and Engineering. The Patrol is focusing its efforts on Enforcement and Education. We have public information and education officers giving programs throughout the state to educate drivers of all ages and to encourage them to adopt responsible, safe driving habits. Through news releases and public service announcements, the public is reminded of the same.

The Patrol's primary mission is traffic enforcement. Sixty overtime projects furthered this mission. Funding for these projects comes through grants from MoDOT's Highway Safety Division, others are budgeted expenses. During 2007, the Patrol held 75 sobriety checkpoints, which yielded 227 driving while intoxicated arrests. These enforcement operations are held in areas known to have a high number of drunk drivers. In addition, DWI saturations are scheduled in areas where statistics show a high number of DWI-related traffic crashes and arrests. One example of such an operation took place in Camden County. Twenty-four troopers from throughout Missouri who have a successful record of DWI detection were brought to the Lake of the Ozarks for several days. Over a period of five nonconsecutive weekends (August 19, 2007 to September 23) these troopers stopped 1,003 vehicles, arresting 101 persons for DWI. Troopers made 376 other arrests and issued 1,275 warnings. During this saturation, approximately 10 percent of the vehicles stopped were operated by an intoxicated driver. Also in 2007, the Patrol held 317 construction zone operations. Many of these projects were held in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies or MoDOT. All of these operations were successful in 2007, and will be an enforcement tool during the coming year. DWI saturations, wolf pack operations, and construction zone projects serve as deterrents and save lives.

Recently, 142 previously unmarked patrol vehicles have been changed to include the Patrol emblem stickers. This will make the Patrol more visible to the public, thus helping with traffic enforcement before there is a traffic crash. Beginning in 2008, the Patrol will train two recruit classes each year at its Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City. This will help move the Patrol closer to filling its budgeted strength, as well as continue to increase the Patrol's visibility. The additional troopers' primary responsibility will be patrolling roadways and serving and protecting Missouri's citizens.

The Patrol is committed to further reducing the number of traffic crashes in Missouri. We will continue to work with the public, other law enforcement agencies, and our partners on the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.