2024 Buckle Up Phone Down Champion

Nicole Hood

Nicole has shown exemplary leadership and dedication to the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) initiative. She has been its biggest advocate and catalyst not only statewide but also nationally. She served in the role as State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer from 2017-2024 and worked for MoDOT in many roles over the last 29 years. While Nicole excelled in each position, her passion was evident when she lead the state in highway safety efforts, especially the BUPD initiative. Nicole continuously emphasized the importance of highway safety, even changing the name of the MoDOT division to prioritize safety above all. This subtle change is just one example of her understanding the importance to detail and the need to emphasize values in order to bring about change.

Under Nicole’s direction and guidance, the campaign has blossomed into a nationally known initiative. She worked passionately and tirelessly to make Missouri highways safer, never missing an opportunity to champion BUPD along the way. Those who know Nicole have little doubt how extensively she values safety, and she always does so in a positive, upbeat manner and with a genuine interest in what others have to offer. Her demeaner, personality, and knowledge allowed her to lead the team and the state to an unprecedented level of success during her tenure. The list is too long to include everything, but specific to BUPD, Nicole orchestrated its growth through crucial partnerships, innovative competitions like the BUPD showdowns, making BUPD Day a national event, and organizing efforts for a hands-free law in Missouri. No one embodies the spirit of BUPD more than Nicole. Her ability to champion this cause has touched many hearts, and no doubt, saved many lives.