Car crashes are the number one killer of kids. Nearly 73 percent of all child restraints are not used correctly. Is your child safe?
Lieutenant Benton said regular child safety seat and safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Missouri's Child Restraint Law
(RSMo 307.179)
• Children less than 4 years old or less than 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat.
• Children ages 4 through 7 who weigh at least 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they are 80 pounds or 4'9" tall.
• Children 8 and over or weighing at least 80 pounds or at least 4’9” tall are required to be secured by a safety belt or buckled into an appropriate booster seat.
For more information, visit www.saveMOlives.com.
School buses are nearly eight times safer than passenger vehicles; however, a majority of bus-related deaths and injuries that do occur involve pedestrians - mostly children - who are struck by a bus or injured when they are exiting the bus to cross traffic.
Make every trip to and from school a safe one by following these guidelines:
Always stay in sight of the bus driver.
Don't hurry off the bus. Make sure to check traffic first.
Don't go back to the bus after exiting.
The Safe Routes to School program makes bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative. By encouraging more students to walk, wheel or bike to school, the program encourages a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.
During the month of August, at times when MoDOT's digital message signs are not being used to convey critical information to motorists, the signs will be used to reinforce safe driving practices for back to school:
Safe Routes to School projects include sidewalk improvements, traffic calming, pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements, bicycle parking facilities and traffic diversion - http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/.
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED. Prior dispatch experience preferred, but not required. Due to the nature of the job, applicants should be able to multitask under high stress situations. Applicants must be able to pass a thorough background examination and drug screening.
Benefits include health insurance, dental and vision insurance (optional), life insurance and enrollment with Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS), which is paid for by the City of Dexter. Vacation time, sick time, personal and safety days are also included in the benefits package.
If you are interested in this unique job opportunity, download and print the application AND release form located at:
http://dexterpd.com/employment.html
Once the application is completed, return the application in person or via mail to:
Dexter Police Department
305 Cooper Street
Dexter, Missouri 63841
E-mailed applications will not be accepted.
Law enforcement seeking impaired drivers over Independence Day holiday
If you're thinking about driving impaired this week, the red, white and blue flashing lights of your Independence Day holiday may be those of a patrol car - and the view of the fireworks is not so good from a local jail cell.
The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to substance-impaired driving crashes. Local law enforcement will be out in full force July 3-5 seeking impaired drivers through increased sobriety checkpoints, roving and saturation patrols, and other enforcement methods. There are no warnings and no excuses. If you drive impaired you will be arrested. Don't risk losing your independence by choosing to drink and drive.
"Last year eight people were killed and 50 were seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes over the Fourth of July holiday," said Bill Whitfield, executive committee chair for the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "Two of those fatalities and 11 serious injuries involved a substance-impaired driver."
Often, people have a hard time recuperating financially from the cost of an arrest or the crash itself. Violators risk killing or harming others, face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost time at work.
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety recommends these simple tips to avoid a drunk-driving disaster:
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to call local law enforcement.
• Always wear your seat belt. It's your best defense in any traffic crash.
For more information, visit www.saveMOlives.com, or find them on Facebook and Twitter at Save MO Lives.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Poplar Bluff Police Department is investigating the disappearance of a Poplar Bluff, Mo. teen.
Family members contacted police yesterday morning, reporting Victoria Frazier missing.
Reports say Frazier left her residence voluntarily, at around 5:00 am, but has not been in contact since that time.
Frazier has remained active on social media, but her whereabouts are unknown.
Anyone with information about Victoria Frazier’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776 or contactus@pbpolice.org.
