MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop D Headquarters, 3131 East Kearney Street, Springfield, Missouri 65803


News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Jason M. Pace
417-895-6868
D412015
November 20, 2015

EMPHASIS: PRESS CONFERENCE: Traffic Crash Fatalities On The Rise


The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to make motorists aware of the increased number of fatal traffic crashes throughout the state and stress the importance of safe driving behavior as we enter into the holiday season.
2015 is proving to be a deadly year with 756 traffic crash deaths to date. Compared to same time last year, statewide fatal traffic crashes are up 14 percent. Specifically in Troop D, which includes 18 counties in Southwest Missouri, there has been an alarming 41 percent increase. This number represents 44 additional lives that have been lost. Those 44 people are not able to share the upcoming holidays with their family and friends.
Over the years, many contributing factors have played a significant role in the safety of motorists on Missouri’s roadways. Some of these include: increased education, enforcement efforts, engineering of the roadways, design of the vehicles, and the advancement of emergency medical services. These efforts will continue and as important as they are, ultimately, one’s safety begins with re-examining one’s own driving habits. Common contributing circumstances in traffic crashes are speed, inattention, and driving while impaired, all of which include poor choices behind the wheel. As the holiday season approaches, motorists can expect increased traffic on our roadways and a greater risk of being involved in a traffic crash. It is important to make safety a priority, pay attention to your driving behavior, and put an end to all traffic crashes on Missouri’s roadways.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to cordially invite all media outlets to attend a press conference at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at the Troop D Headquarters, 3131 East Kearney Street, Springfield, Missouri. The intention of this news conference is to address the increased number of traffic crash fatalities in Missouri and what motorists can do enhance their safety on the roadways. Also, several family members who have lost loved ones in traffic crashes will be present to tell their personal story and discuss how the loss has affected their lives.
If you have any further questions, please contact Sergeant Jason Pace, public information and education officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, at 417-839-2883.
Approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are NOT at the time of the traffic crash. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Join us in supporting the Drive To Zero Highway Deaths. Watercraft operators should ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!