Safety Spotlight Archives

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 2-33. While 87% of Missouri drivers and passengers use safety belts, the 13% who do not account for about two-thirds of the state's crash fatalities. Correct and consistent safety belt use is the most effective way to prevent injury and death in a crash; universal compliance in Missouri could save an estimated 235 lives annually. 

To raise awareness, MoDOT established the “Saved by the Belt” program, which honors individuals whose lives were saved because they chose to buckle up. Those who are recognized receive a certificate of recognition, a sunshade, and a highway emergency kit courtesy of the MoDOT Highway Safety & Traffic Division. 

Missouri, home to over 136,000 registered motorcycles and more than 365,000 endorsed riders, has seen an average of 150 fatalities and nearly 2,200 injury crashes annually since 2020. 

To promote safety, all road users are urged to share the road and stay alert. Motorcyclists can increase their chances of survival by wearing proper gear, completing a rider education course, wearing a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet, making themselves visible, and always riding sober. 

To raise awareness of helmet safety, MoDOT established the “Saved by the Helmet” program which honors and acknowledges riders who survive a crash while wearing protective gear. Those who are recognized receive a certificate of recognition and a new replacement helmet courtesy of the MoDOT Highway Safety & Traffic Division.

Candidates for Missouri’s “Saved by the Belt” or “Saved by the Helmet” program can be nominated by someone with first-hand knowledge of the crash (ex. first responder, medical personnel, family member, etc.) Crashes will be verified through official state crash records, and eligible candidates must:

• Be nominated within a year of their crash.
• If nominating a driver, the driver must not be cited for serious offenses like driving under the influence or
  reckless operation.
• Must have used proper combination of safety devices available (i.e., lap and shoulder belt) or DOT-approved
  motorcycle helmet.
• If nominating a driver, the driver must be a Missouri resident holding a valid driver license, permit, or motorcycle
  endorsement at the time of the crash.

Buckling up is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself in the event of a car crash. Unfortunately, car crashes remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death for our most vulnerable passengers, children. This can be due to families not having the financial means to provide an appropriate car seat for their child or families lacking education and confidence about which car seat is appropriate and how to correctly use one. MoDOT’s Highway Safety Office (HSO) helps support Missouri families by purchasing car seats for registered car seat inspection stations that distribute the seats to low-income families. Along with each car seat distribution, families are also provided with high-quality information from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) about how to correctly install and use their car seat.

The HSO purchases car seats twice per year through funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), once in the spring and once in the fall. In spring of 2025, the HSO was able to order 1,367 convertible (rear and forward-facing harness) car seats and 823 combination (forward-facing harness and booster) car seats. To supplement our funding from NHTSA, the HSO also used state funds to purchase an additional 447 convertible seats and 272 combination seats during the spring order. In fall of 2025, the HSO was able to order 427 convertible seats and 260 combination seats. In total for 2025, the HSO was able to provide 2,249 convertible seats and 1,355 combination seats to approximately 170 different car seat inspection stations across the state.

If you would like information about how to become a car seat inspection station, please contact Lillian Hinkson at Lillian.Hinkson@modot.mo.gov or (573) 751-5420. If you would like any of our free printed resources, such as car seat law brochures or child car seat identification stickers, these can be ordered online at https://www6.modot.mo.gov/HighwaySafetyOrderSystem.

The Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Court Monitoring Program plays a vital role in supporting victims and creating safer communities across Missouri. Trained staff and college interns attend DWI court proceedings to observe how cases are handled, ensuring fairness, consistency, and accountability within the judicial system. 
During Grant Year 2024-2025, the Court Monitoring team has been active in 10 counties. Within this period, the team monitored 8,819 cases, started 3,472 new cases, and closed 4,821 cases. This work helps MADD identify trends, recognize progress, and advocate for stronger enforcement and education around impaired driving. 
The program also provides meaningful hands-on experience for students pursuing criminal justice and related fields. Interns contribute directly to MADD's mission of eliminating impaired driving while gaining valuable professional skills. 
Together, the Court Monitoring Program helps make Missouri's roads safer, supports victims, and ensures that every case is handled with care, fairness, and accountability. 

Missouri Partners in Prevention (PIP) developed the State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training (SMART) in 2004 to educate sellers and servers of alcoholic beverages about their legal obligations concerning the service of this highly regulated product. SMART is by far the largest program developed by PIP with MoDOT funding averaging about 4,000 enrollments per quarter and approximately 15,000 to 20,000 new users per year. SMART is 100% online and available to users 24/7 at zero cost to users or their employers. Technical support is available Monday through Friday during business hours and is handled by PIP staff. SMART is now mandated in some counties around Missouri for all servers that sell alcohol in any capacity. Some of the major counties that have adopted this mandate are Columbia, MO, and Blue Springs, MO. The SMART training and website recently went through an upgrade to make the training more accessible on mobile devices and provide updated content. Preventing impaired driving can start at the source with training servers and sellers of alcohol to not sell to minors, not overserve, de-escalate situations with intoxicated patrons, and teaching the laws and consequences around alcohol sales.

Cheers to the Designated Driver (CHEERS!) was developed in 1989 in an effort to promote being a designated driver and staying 100% sober when you are. CHEERS partners with over 200 establishments across Missouri to provide free non-alcoholic beverages (i.e. juice, soda) to patrons that identify themselves as the designated driver of their group. CHEERS puts a strong focus on defining the designated driver as someone who has consumed no intoxicating products, rather than the person who drank the least, or ‘only had one’. PIP does consistent outreach in communities across Missouri to recruit new establishments to be a part of Project CHEERS. CHEERS establishments receive ‘swag’ like posters, cups, pens, coasters, and notepads to help with day-to-day functions in their establishments, promote being the designated driver, and to say thank you for helping us keep Missouri roadways safe from impaired driving. This is another way to prevent impaired driving at the source!

PIP also hosts and implements other, smaller programs related to impaired driving with MoDOT funding. To find out more about PIP and our programs, please visit our website at mopip.org.

Safe and Sober, with support from MoDOT, has been working to reduce impaired driving for twenty-one years.

Safe and Sober, established in 2004, provides no cost prevention materials to schools and organizations across Missouri to educate youth and parents on the facts and consequences of impaired driving and strategies to avoid this preventable tragedy.    Our materials include videos, activities, and lesson plans that are updated yearly and are guided by the National Health Education Standards and Missouri Healthy Schools. Materials can be viewed online, downloaded, or mailed to you!  Click below for a sample of three our 24-25 Safe and Sober videos. 

We encourage all schools and organizations to visit our website and register to have full access to all current materials.  This year we’ve added materials perfect for after school clubs! 

The 25-26 program will be added to our website September 1st, 2025!

Safe and Sober, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Missouri,  is proudly endorsed and supported by the following organizations: Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Parent Teachers Association, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Missouri School Resource Officers Association, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Heartland Chapter, Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, Ozarks Regional YMCA, Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Office, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Springfield Police Department, and the Greene County Medical Society. 

Since its launch in August 2022, Smart Riders has consisted of four online modules designed for students K-3 to learn about highway safety in a fun and interactive way. Due to the program’s continued success, MoDOT partnered with a marketing firm, Campus Multimedia, during the 24-25 school year to intentionally connect over 200 under-resourced Missouri elementary schools with Smart Riders. The partnership was so successful, it is planned to continue during the 25-26 school year.

In October 2024, MoDOT launched Smart Riders: Smart Town which is a detailed guide that empowers schools and communities to implement traffic gardens. A traffic garden is a mini traffic system (roads, crosswalks, sidewalks, etc.) where students can learn about how traffic works in a safe, controlled environment. Since launching the guide, MoDOT has partnered with several schools across the state to plan and host traffic garden events, using grant funds from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Each event has been a tremendous success because of the flexibility that traffic gardens offer, and the interest traffic gardens continues to increase.

In May 2025, MoDOT released a fifth online module discussing the topic of Large Trucks and Buses. This brand-new module has the same look and feel of the previous modules and teaches students about how to be safe around these large vehicles. The new module also has safety tips for drivers that students can pass onto their caregivers.

MoDOT aims to continue to expand the program by adding more modules, including topics like safety on the bus and an introduction to signs and signals.

Check out these new additions to Smart Riders and keep your eye for new upcoming content on the SaveMOLives website.

Every year, thousands of Missouri teens and young adults take their first steps toward driving independence—but for many in foster care or facing economic hardship, getting behind the wheel safely is out of reach. That’s why Live 2 Give Hope’s Paving the Way program is doing more than just teaching youth to drive—it’s helping to save lives. 

According to MoDOT, driver inexperience is one of the leading causes of crashes among Missouri youth. The Paving the Way program addresses this risk directly by offering comprehensive driver’s education and training, including over 6 hours of driving lessons. The program also offers additional life-skills training including Personal Finance which is also eligible for credit toward high school graduation requirements.

In 2025, Live 2 Give Hope proudly completed its 5th annual Lebanon session, continuing its tradition of empowering young drivers in Laclede County. And for the first time, thanks to funding from MoDOT, the program is being expanded to other Missouri counties. This expansion fills a critical gap in rural Missouri, reaching youth who might otherwise go without access to proper driver training.

The impact of this program is measurable—and meaningful. By investing in proper driver training for at-risk youth, Paving the Way is helping to reduce teen crashes, prevent fatalities, and create safer roads for everyone.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards funding each year to MoDOT’s Highway Safety Office (HSO) for behavioral and enforcement programs statewide. Highway safety initiatives are related to Aggressive Driving, Child Passenger Safety, Distracted Driving, Impaired Driving, Occupant Protection, Older Drivers, Speeding, and Teen Driving.

This year, the HSO received 577 applications, totaling $37.6 million in requests.  Prior to the meeting, the HSO staff review all the grant applications to determine if the applications were eligible for NHTSA funding and to make recommendations regarding funding the application.  Recommendations are based on prior spending, prior contract interactions with the HSO, the needs in particular areas of the state, project scope, and funding availability.  During the week-long meeting, the HSO discusses each application and makes a final determination based on recommendations and discussions.

For FFY26, the HSO awarded 462 contracts to external partners, totaling $26 million.  This funding will be used for the following:

• 329 Law Enforcement Projects relating to overtime, equipment, and training at $12 million
• 110 General Projects for external partners like MADD, numerous fire departments, some state agencies and universities at $9 million
• 23 internal HSO Projects for media and program support at $4 million. 

By comparison, the HSO was able to award $28.3 million in FFY25, which is $2.3 million more than the funding they were able to award for FFY26.  The grant funding is primarily used for staffing, training,  for highway safety professionals, and needed equipment. 

The HSO is also awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP).  The purpose of MCSAP is to reduce the number and severity of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and to promote the safe transportation of passengers and hazardous materials.  The grant seeks to implement consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs, which include driver/vehicle inspections, traffic enforcement, carrier audits/investigations, education/outreach, safety data improvements, and Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM).

The HSO is anticipating an award of approximately $10.8 million to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis County, and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments, as well as to MoDOT’s Motor Carrier Services Division and the Highway Safety & Traffic Division.

First Impact is a statewide, free, 90-minute, evidence-based traffic safety program that educates parents and teens about Missouri’s 3-step Graduated Driver License (GDL) law.  The goal is to reduce new driver crashes and eliminate injuries and fatalities.  The objectives of the program are to increase:  a) awareness of teen driving risks, b) understanding of Missouri’s GDL law, c) the importance of monitoring and enforcing the GDL at home, and d) the importance of being a positive role model.

Driver Education is not required in Missouri to obtain a driver license. Recognizing this, MoDOT issued a charge in 2014 to develop a program that would help educate parents about the GDL. It is equally important for the novice driver to understand the regulations of the GDL and are encouraged to attend the presentation with their parent(s).  The first presentations were rolled out in 2016.  Since its’ inception, First Impact, under the umbrella of ThinkFirst and administered through the University of Missouri, has given over 500 presentations to over 9,000 attendees. When asked about the GDL law prior to a presentation, 48% of parents were not familiar with the GDL law. After the presentation, 98% of the parents stated their knowledge of the GDL had increased.  The GDL law is the single most effective tool in reducing teen driver crashes as it limits the highest risk factors for teens, including driving: a) at night, b) with multiple passengers, c) distracted, and d) without a seat belt.

Using trained facilitators such as law enforcement officers and individuals passionate about traffic safety, First Impact provides parents with the tools they need to confidently guide, mentor, and support their new teen driver.  The program showcases an engaging video and fosters meaningful discussions, all geared toward highlighting the importance of parents and teens working together.  Ensuring parents understand the risks and responsibilities associated with driving is essential in preventing teen driving tragedies. 

To find or request a First Impact program near you go to https://medicine.missouri.edu/offices-programs/first-impact

You may also contact: gawcft@health.missouri.edu or ceh8zg@health.missouri.edu         

TRACTION is a youth traffic safety leadership training program designed to empower youth to take an active role in promoting safe driving habits. The program is based on the belief that youth themselves can become a powerful force, creating positive changes within their schools and communities.

TRACTION is a carefully developed three-day training program for students and their advisors. This model is designed to develop natural leadership skills within our youth; to explore knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to the cause and effect of traffic crashes. Teams develop an action plan, enabling students to plan and carry out specific projects during the school year to promote safe driving habits and prevent traffic crashes.

There are two phases of TRACTION training:

1.    TRACTION Training Conference:  6–12 students and 2 advisors from Missouri high schools are invited to attend one of the summer conferences as a school team. As teams participate, they will not only receive educational training but will also develop individualized team action plans to be implemented within their own schools upon their return.
2.    Implementation of Action Plans: In the following school year, the team’s summer training action plan is carried out through the support of the adult advisors, student team members, and anyone else they recruit along the way. As a result, TRACTION has a positive effect not only on the participants themselves, but also on their schools and communities!

2025 Conference Dates

• Cape Girardeau – Drury Plaza & Conference Center: July 20-22, 2025
• Columbia – Stoney Creek Inn: July 24-26, 2025

The summer conference schedule includes general sessions, 7 workshops, team break-out time, recreational activities and other fun, surprise events. The conference is designed to be high energy and provides activities from early morning until late evening. Registration is $15 per participant, which covers lodging, meals and conference materials. Teams are responsible for their own transportation expenses.

Visit motraction.com for more information or to register for this summer’s conferences!

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) offers docudrama planning assistance statewide through a Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety grant. Through our program, we offer assistance planning and coordinating four different docudrama scenarios – a crash simulation, the Grim Reaper, an ER simulation or an alcohol poisoning/drug overdose bonfire simulation. By having four different scenarios, high schoolers can view a different docudrama each year they are in high school, instilling messages of smart driving choices. The goal is that students can view real-life consequences to dangerous choices in a controlled environment and prevent these choices before they become real and life-threatening.

The planning assistance is provided by Mag Roberts, MRPC Docudrama Coordinator, who has over 23 years of experience organizing these events. She works one-on-one with schools to tailor fit a program that works for the needs of its student body. She is available to help coordinators and students walk through the entire program and coordinate other agencies that need to be assembled in order to have the most realistic experience. For example on, a crash simulation requires the coordination of area ambulance, law enforcement, if possible life flight, a coroner, a scrap yard to provide the cars, which could mean additional assistance of a tow company, and so many more moving parts. MRPC is here to try and make the implementation of these programs easier and less overwhelming for the schools we assist. 

Again, MRPC can provide this service statewide and we encourage any school looking for assistance to contact us at 573-265-2993 or visit www.meramecregion.org/roadway-safety-programs for more information.