Buckle Up and Arrive Alive

Don’t end up in the hospital or worse this Labor Day -- remember to Drive Smart and Arrive Alive. Labor Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, and last year 18 motorists did not make it home due to traffic crashes. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be extra cautious while driving this holiday weekend, and not become a statistic for next year.

“We’re doing everything we can to make roads as safe as they can be so motorists and our workers can get home safely every day,” says Don Hillis, director of System Management for MoDOT. “We need motorists to do their part by following all posted signs, staying alert, designating sober drivers and wearing their safety belts.”

Over the 2006 Labor Day holiday in Missouri, 18 people died and 502 were injured in more than 1,100 traffic crashes. Of those 18 fatalities, 12 were killed in automobiles, trucks, vans, and motor homes (vehicles normally having safety restraint devices). Of these 12 fatalities, 9 were not using their safety belt.

Inattention, speeding, failing to yield and drinking were the most common causes of crashes during last year's holiday weekend, which runs from 6 p.m. Friday 6 p.m. to midnight on Monday.

Also, a stiffer work zone law means big penalties are in store for reckless drivers. Injuring or killing a highway worker could cost $10,000, as well as a lost license for a year. Although MoDOT generally limits the amount of work done on holidays, drivers will still encounter heavy traffic and some construction over the holiday.

“Even the most careful driver can’t avoid all crashes, but it is a proven fact that safety belts save lives - so we encourage all Missourians to buckle up!,” Hillis said.

MoDOT hopes to lower crashes and fatalities this holiday with interstate median guard cable, which greatly reduces cross-median crashes. These routes have these miles of guard cable: Interstate 435 - 14 miles, Interstate 70 - 180 miles, Interstate 44 - 250 miles, Interstate 55 - 20 miles, and Interstate 29 - 35 miles. On I-70, the cables have virtually eliminated crossover crashes and have saved lives. In addition, emergency reference markers increase visibility along the roadway during bad weather and provide location identification for motorists to report incidents or request help.

MoDOT offers several tips for safe travel this holiday weekend:

Buckle up- every trip, every time- safety belts save lives.

Don’t drink and drive- impairment of any kind is dangerous. Designate a sober driver.

Don’t speed- note the posted limits and adjust for weather and traffic conditions.

Pay attention and stay alert- dedicate your full attention to the roadway.

Obey traffic rules and signs- they are there to help you.

Plan your trip- determine your route before you leave.

Get plenty of rest before your trip- change drivers if you feel tired.

Be patient and courteous.

Motorists can find an online construction map at www.modot.org to identify where work zones are located and when improvements will take place. For more information about construction projects and work zones statewide, visit www.modot.org or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

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