Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Missouri - Summer travel season is upon us. Whether you're planning a weekend drive or that long summer trip, please protect yourself and those you love by making sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up - every trip, every time.
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is joining with state and local law enforcement May 19 - June 1 in the national "Click It or Ticket" enforcement campaign to crack down on buckling up.
Missouri's seat belt usage remains relatively unchanged at 80 percent, and consistently below the national average of 87 percent. "The best thing motorists can do to protect themselves while traveling in a motor vehicle is to buckle their seat belts and to make sure everyone else in the vehicle is buckled as well," stated Colonel Ronald K. Replogle, superintendent of the Highway Patrol. "We want to encourage everyone to wear a seat belt every time they get into a car or truck."
This type of campaign and enforcement effort is just one method used to heighten awareness about the importance of wearing a seat belt and saving lives. Highway Patrol troopers will continue to take a zero tolerance approach in the enforcement of seat belt and child restraint laws throughout the year in our effort to reduce injuries and save lives." In 2013, 757 people were killed in traffic crashes on Missouri's roadways, and 63.4 percent of those were not wearing seat belts.
"Sixty-five percent of Missouri fatalities since the first of this year have been unbuckled vehicle occupants," said Leanna Depue, chair of the coalition's executive committee. "We want to make sure everyone is buckled up - day and night."
Wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to reduce injuries and fatalities in a crash. When worn correctly, seat belts can reduce the risk of death for front seat occupants of passenger cars by 45 percent. Similarly, belt use reduces the risk of serious non-fatal injuries by 50 percent for front seat occupants.
For more information about Click It or Ticket, visit http://www.savemolives.com/, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter at Save MO Lives.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Stoddard County, Missouri - Route E in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane with a nine-foot width restriction as contractor crews overlay the roadway.
This section of roadway is located from Rt. 25 to Rt. N on Monday, June 2 through Saturday, June 21 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Monday, June 2 at 6 a.m. to Monday, June 16 at 6 p.m. Rt. E will be closed from County Road 563 to County Road 567 for replacing the bridge with pile culverts
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact Resident Engineer Audie Pulliam at (573) 840-9781 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Missouri - As part of the company’s ongoing support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) – McDonald’s U.S. will kick-off the 12th annual “Give a Hand” (GAH) fundraiser to continue educating customers on ways to give, while encouraging and celebrating the gift of family and the gift of togetherness. New this year, the GAH fundraiser will take place in participating U.S. restaurants from May 1 – 10, 2014.
Similar to years past, guests can support the Charity by purchasing a paper hand in varying denominations of $1, $3 and $5. To remind customers to lend a hand to support those in need, the paper hands will also be displayed in participating McDonald’s restaurants throughout the month of May.
“Our customers and crew are always so generous and eager to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities. We are excited to partner with such a great cause annually,” said local McDonald’s Owner-Operator, John Moreland.
Community Donations Add Up. Demonstrating the generosity and value of McDonald’s customers, last year more than $5 million were raised for RMHC through the “Give a Hand” fundraiser at participating McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. This donation along with others RMHC receives allows the Charity to serve seven million children and families every year around the world.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Missouri - The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is accepting nominations for individuals, organizations and events to be recognized for efforts to promote safe driving. Nomination forms are only online and available at http://www.savemolives.com/. "The goal of our Coalition is to reduce fatalities on Missouri roads, and we know there are a lot of people in Missouri who contribute to the success we've had in the past few years to lower the number," said MoDOT Highway Safety Director Leanna Depue. "This is an opportunity to recognize those who are helping to save lives." Missouri fatalities have gone from 1257 in 2005 to 757 in 2013, a reduction of more than 40%. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety has seven regions it serves including Northwest, Northeast, Kansas City, Central, St. Louis, Southwest and Southeast. There are four statewide awards and two awards for each of the seven Coalition regions. The statewide awards include:
• the Lay Down the Law Award recognizing an individual or a group in law enforcement
• the Tempe Humphrey Award recognizing an individual or group who have focused efforts on our younger drivers
• the Arrive Alive Award recognizing an individual or group for their leadership and dedication to reducing fatalities
• the "Show Me Safety" Award recognizing an individual or group for an event
The regional awards include the Arrive Alive Award and the "Show-Me Safety" Award. Details about the awards can be found at http://www.savemolives.com/, and the form is online and simple to complete. Nominations are due by June 30, 2014, and five individuals with an interest in transportation safety have been selected throughout the Midwest to judge the awards. Regional awards will be judged by the regional coalitions or independent judges they choose. The winners will be recognized at the 2014 Blueprint to Save More Lives Conference in St. Louis at the end of September. Award winners and those who nominate them will be notified in August. For more information, please call Marisa Ellison at 573-248-2502 or email marisa.ellison@modot.mo.gov.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Missouri - Warm weather means enjoying the beautiful outdoors, and motorcyclists across the state are doing just that. As they're tuning those engines and polishing that chrome one last time, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to remind motorists and motorcyclists alike to "Watch for Motorcycles" in order to help prevent motorcycle crashes, deaths and injuries on Missouri's roadways.
"Many motorcyclists will be out as the weather gets warmer, which is why May is the perfect time for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month," said Dr. Leanna Depue, executive committee chair of the coalition. "By following basic safety rules, we can all help prevent crashes."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips to drivers on how to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle:
• Although a motorcycle is a small vehicle, the operator still has the same rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.
• Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
Motorcyclists must also take precautions to remain safe on the road. Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:
• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
• Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed and trained.
• Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
• Ride in the middle of the lane where you will be more visible to drivers.
• Never ride distracted or impaired.
Very often, drivers of cars and trucks don't see motorcycles until the last second, or sometimes not at all. Motorcycle operators have to anticipate the moves of other drivers and be extra cautious of road conditions and debris.
Motorcycle experts recommend motorcyclists also complete some type of training before getting out on the road. There are 29 training locations in Missouri. You can find the one nearest you at http://www.mmsp.org/.
For more information, visit http://www.savemolives.com/ or Facebook and Twitter at Save MO Lives. Arrive Alive.
