Missouri - Every spring, the Missouri Department of Transportation starts preparing for the summer season of roadwork across the state. Part of that preparation includes the observance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which kicked-off today.

Highway workers spend their days working a short distance from fast-moving vehicles. They make every effort to work safely, but they count on motorists to pay attention, slow down, and use caution when driving through work zones.

In 2012, Governor Jay Nixon and the Missouri General Assembly added MoDOT vehicles to the "Move Over" law, which protects law enforcement and emergency response vehicles parked on the side of the road. This law requires motorists to slow down or change lanes when approaching these vehicles and now includes MoDOT vehicles parked with amber and white lights flashing.

"The law is simple: If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, move over to give workers and emergency personnel plenty of room to stay safe," said MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger. "If you can't move over on a crowded highway, you should slow down as you pass them.  We want you and our workers to make it home safe every day."

The severe downturn in transportation funding in Missouri means that MoDOT's focus is increasingly on preservation of the existing transportation system. It requires $485 million per year to keep Missouri's roads and bridges in the condition they are in today. MoDOT's construction budget is slightly above that figure now, but by 2017 it will fall to $325 million. That will lead to the eventual deterioration of highways across the state. Lots of resurfacing and bridge replacement projects will be required and that is the type of work that affects drivers the most.

Work zones come in many forms such as a lane closures that last for weeks or even months for roadway or bridge construction, or work zones that last a few hours or  just one day for road maintenance.

"Not all work zones look alike," said MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer Beth Wright. "We remind motorists that work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway."

Work zone safety is a serious matter.  Check out these current statistics:

In 2013, eight people were killed in work zones, compared to seven in 2012.

Between 2009 and 2013, 53 people were killed and 2,781 people were injured in Missouri work zones.

Since 2000, 16 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty.
The top five contributing circumstances for work zone crashes in 2013 were following too closely, improper lane use or changing lanes, inattention, driving too fast for conditions and failure to yield -- in that order.

The best defense in a work zone crash, or any crash, is a seat belt. In 2013, 63 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities were not wearing a seat belt.

To help make your travel safer, visit MoDOT's Traveler Information map at www.traveler.modot.org/map and find out what work zones you'll encounter before you go. Motorists can comment on the quality of MoDOT's work zones with an online customer survey at http://www.modot.org/workzones/Comments.htm.

Missouri - Warm April days find more motorists on Missouri's roadways. Some are on a mission, while others are just out on a leisurely drive to see the sights of spring.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to remind motorists that law enforcement will be out in full force on April 14, cracking down on unbelted motorists, and encouraging drivers to not drive distracted.

April is National Distracted Driving Month. This year, in cooperation with the "Click It or Ticket" enforcement day, drivers will be strongly encouraged to pay attention to the primary task of driving.

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from driving, such as texting, eating, grooming, or even talking to other passengers in the vehicle.  All of these could be very dangerous. However, because text messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most deadly distraction.

"In 2013, 117 seat belt and six child restraint violations were issued statewide during this one day campaign," said Leanna Depue, executive committee chair for the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "Wearing a seat belt can also be your best defense against distracted drivers."

Also don't forget to buck up your four legged friends.  They distract you while driving if they can move around the vehicle.  Plus if you are in a wreck they are protected as well.

For more information visit saveMOlives.com. You can also follow SaveMOLives on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Missouri - A combination of strong winds, low humidity, dry conditions, and warming temperatures this time of year has the potential to create explosive wildfires. Each year, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff work with fire departments around the state to help suppress thousands of wildfires that can consume tens-of-thousands of acres.  

According to MDC’s Forestry Division, the main cause of wildfires is improper burning of debris such as trash and brush piles. The Department urges landowners, hunters, campers, and others in the outdoors to help prevent wildfires and offers the following tips.  

Outdoor Burning

Do not conduct outdoor burning during times when grasses, brush, and other fire fuels are very dry, humidity is low and weather is windy.
Dry fuel, combined with high temperatures, low humidity, and high winds, makes fire nearly impossible to control.

Check with local fire departments regarding burn bans that may be in place, or if there is a “red flag warning.” A red flag warning is issued when there is a high risk of fire spreading rapidly because of low humidity and high winds.

A person who starts a fire for any reason is responsible for any damage it may cause.

For more information on using prescribed fire as a land-management tool, visit mdc.mo.gov and search “Prescribed Fire.”Driving Off Road

Wildfires can start when fine, dry fuel such as grass comes in contact with catalytic converters on motor vehicles.

*Think twice before driving into and across a grassy field.
*Never park over tall, dry grass or piles of leaves that can touch the underside of a vehicle.
*When driving vehicles off road, regularly inspect the undercarriage to ensure that fuel and brake lines are intact and no oil leaks are apparent.
*Always carry an approved fire extinguisher on vehicles that are used off road.
*Check for the presence of spark arresters on ATV exhausts.

Making a Campfire

Clear a generous zone around fire rings. When humidity is low and wind is high, debris can become tinder for a stray spark or ember.

*Store unused firewood a good distance from the fire.
*Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquid to start a fire.
*Keep campfires small and controllable.
*Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel, and bucket of water, close by.
*Never leave a campfire unattended! Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even for a few moments.
*Smokers: Practice Extra Caution - Extinguish cigarettes completely and safely and dispose of butts responsibly.

Don't Delay Calling for Help!

Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.

Report Forest Arson - Many wildfires are set by vandals.

Help stop arson by calling Operation Forest Arson at 800-392-1111. Callers will remain anonymous and rewards are possible.

DID YOU KNOW: In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, MDC provided more than $354,000 in grants to 182 volunteer fire departments last year for protective clothing, equipment, and training. The Department also obtained more than $5 million in equipment from federal government programs for volunteer fire departments in the state, and provided wildland fire-suppression training to more than 400 Missouri firefighters.

For more information on preventing wildfires, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon today declared a state of emergency in Missouri as a widespread severe weather system continued to move across the state, bringing heavy rain, hail, high winds, flooding and flash flooding, and at least one reported tornado. The heavy rain associated with the severe weather has already led to several water rescues along flooded streams and rivers.  Another round of severe weather is forecast for much of the state today.

“With the continued significant risk of severe storms and flooding, I urge Missourians to closely monitor weather conditions, so they can take shelter or move to higher ground if needed,” Gov. Nixon said. “The state of Missouri will continue to work closely with local officials to help protect lives and property from these storms.”

The Governor ordered activation of the State Emergency Operations Center, which has been closely monitoring the storm system. Gov. Nixon has been receiving updates from his emergency management team to assess the current weather situation and address local needs. The team includes senior officials from the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the State Emergency Management Agency, the Missouri National Guard and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Gov. Nixon has also activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency services.

 

Scott County, Missouri -  For those of you traveling on I-55 you might want to leave a little earlier on Monday and Tuesday.

North and Southbound I-55 in Scott County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge inspection.

This is the bridge over Ramsey Creek at Scott City.

Weather permitting, work will performed Monday, April 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the northbound lanes and Tuesday, April 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on southbound lanes.

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For additional information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.