Kansas City, January 29, 2026
Missouri has marked a significant achievement in roadway safety with a third consecutive year of declining traffic fatalities. The state recorded 911 fatalities in 2025, reflecting a 5% decrease from the previous year and showcasing a 14% reduction in deaths over three years. This milestone is attributed to collaborative efforts among state agencies and increased public awareness on safety practices. The continuing focus on the Show-Me Zero plan emphasizes collective responsibility in achieving safer roads for Missourians.
Kansas City, MO –
Missouri Achieves Major Road Safety Milestone, Igniting Hope for Safer Communities
In a significant demonstration of collective resolve and strategic innovation, the state of Missouri has announced a remarkable achievement in roadway safety, marking a third consecutive year of declining traffic fatalities. This milestone, the first of its kind since 2019, underscores the profound impact of proactive measures, collaborative partnerships, and the vital role of individual responsibility in fostering a safer environment for all who travel Missouri’s roads.
For residents of Kansas City and across the state, this positive trend signifies progress in ongoing efforts to enhance quality of life and safeguard communities. It reflects how targeted initiatives, when supported by civic engagement and streamlined coordination among state agencies, can yield tangible results that benefit every citizen. Such achievements highlight the strength found in individual initiative converging with well-managed public safety programs, steering Missouri towards a future of fewer accidents and greater peace of mind on its extensive transportation network.
The announcement represents not just a statistical improvement but a testament to the dedication of state and local entities working alongside the public. It reinforces the belief that through a balanced approach—combining smart policy, dedicated enforcement, and an empowered citizenry—communities can drive meaningful change. The focus now shifts to sustaining this momentum, ensuring that the lessons learned and strategies employed continue to pave the way for even safer roads in the years to come, affirming Missouri’s commitment to its citizens’ well-being.
A Milestone for Missouri’s Roads
Missouri officials recently unveiled compelling preliminary crash data for 2025, revealing a significant step forward in statewide roadway safety. The state experienced 911 traffic fatalities in 2025, a reduction from 955 deaths in 2024. This notable 5% decrease marks a third consecutive year of declining traffic fatalities across Missouri, an achievement not seen since 2019.
Over the past three years, Missouri has collectively realized a 14% reduction in roadway deaths, reflecting a sustained commitment to improving highway safety. This positive trajectory is a direct result of comprehensive strategies and the collaborative spirit among various organizations dedicated to public welfare. Governor Mike Kehoe, alongside key state agencies, emphasized that each statistic represents a profound human impact, affirming the ongoing dedication to saving lives and supporting families and communities throughout Missouri.
The Power of Partnership and a Clear Vision
The remarkable progress in roadway safety is a credit to the robust partnership between the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), and numerous other traffic-safety organizations. These entities work in concert to implement and refine the state’s strategic approach to roadway safety.
At the heart of these efforts is the updated Show-Me Zero plan, a comprehensive statewide roadmap designed to significantly reduce traffic fatalities. This plan adopts a multi-faceted approach, traditionally built upon the “Four E’s” of highway safety: education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency response. Recognizing the critical role every individual plays, the Show-Me Zero plan has expanded to include a fifth “E”: everyone, underscoring that collective responsibility is paramount to achieving the ultimate goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries on Missouri roads.
Individual Initiative: The Core of Roadway Safety
While state-level planning and agency collaboration lay a crucial foundation, the success of roadway safety initiatives ultimately hinges on the actions of individual citizens. MoDOT officials have attributed the recent improvements to a combination of factors, including increased public awareness campaigns and targeted enforcement, but fundamentally, it is the adherence to proven safety strategies by motorists themselves that drives the positive results.
Key behaviors highlighted for their impact on safety include consistent seat belt use, sober driving, and adhering to posted speed limits. Reductions have been observed in both distracted driving and impaired driving fatalities, a testament to ongoing educational efforts and stricter enforcement. Initiatives like the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) movement, which has garnered participation from over 20,000 individuals and businesses across Missouri since 2017, further exemplify how individual commitment translates into statewide safety improvements.
Despite the overall positive trend, officials continue to highlight areas requiring increased individual vigilance. A significant concern remains the rise in pedestrian deaths stemming from traffic accidents, urging greater caution from both drivers and pedestrians. Furthermore, statistics indicate that more than 50% of the 911 roadway deaths in 2025 involved individuals not wearing a seatbelt, reinforcing the critical importance of this simple, life-saving habit.
Strategic Investments and Sustained Commitment
The state’s commitment to roadway safety is also reflected in strategic investments and long-term planning by MoDOT. As the overseer of the 7th-largest highway system in the nation, MoDOT’s operational efficiency has yielded substantial benefits, with over $6.2 billion in documented savings since 2007. A portion of these savings, specifically $108 million in 2025, has been strategically redirected back into enhancing roads and bridges.
Over the past 18 years, reinvestment in safety enhancements by MoDOT has led to an estimated 1,249 lives saved, showcasing the direct impact of efficient resource allocation and foresight in infrastructure development. Beyond general infrastructure, targeted programs address specific challenges. For instance, in 2024, the Missouri State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) received a $28,750 grant to bolster enforcement capabilities against cannabis- and polysubstance-impaired driving, recognizing that impaired driving remains a significant factor in crash fatalities. This type of specific grant funding, often supported by public and private partnerships, enables critical training and resource deployment, further strengthening the state’s resolve to minimize preventable tragedies.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum for Safer Kansas City and Beyond
The recent announcement of a third consecutive year of declining traffic fatalities is a testament to what can be achieved when state agencies, local communities, and individual citizens unite with a common purpose. The proactive stance taken by MoDOT and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, alongside the ongoing dedication to the Show-Me Zero plan, sets a powerful precedent for continued civic innovation and positive outcomes.
Sustaining this momentum requires unwavering commitment from all Missourians. The call for continued public cooperation in practicing safe driving habits—buckling up, driving sober, putting phones down, and obeying speed limits—remains vital. As Kansas City continues to grow and evolve, local insights and community engagement will be essential in tailoring statewide initiatives to meet specific neighborhood needs, ensuring that every corner of the state benefits from enhanced roadway safety.
This achievement should serve as an encouragement for greater participation in local safety programs and a reminder of the power of individual choices. By working together, Missouri can continue to build upon this milestone, striving toward the ultimate goal of zero roadway fatalities and fostering communities where safety is a shared, tangible reality for everyone.
Keywords: Kansas City MO events, Missouri roadway safety, traffic safety initiatives, Show-Me Zero, community safety Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Roadway Safety
What is the recent major roadway safety milestone announced in Missouri?
Missouri has achieved a third consecutive year of declining traffic fatalities, marking the first time the state has seen such a decline since 2019.
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Missouri in 2025?
In 2025, there were 911 traffic fatalities in Missouri. This represents a 5% reduction from the 955 fatalities recorded in 2024.
What is the overall reduction in roadway deaths over the last three years in Missouri?
Over the past three years, Missouri has achieved a 14% reduction in roadway deaths.
Which state agencies are key partners in Missouri’s roadway safety efforts?
The key partners in Missouri’s roadway safety efforts include the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), and other traffic-safety organizations.
What is the Show-Me Zero plan?
The Show-Me Zero plan is an updated statewide roadmap for reducing traffic fatalities through education, enforcement, engineering, emergency response, and emphasizing the role of “everyone.” This plan aims to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on Missouri roads.
What are the main factors contributing to the improvement in roadway safety?
Factors contributing to the improvement include increased public awareness campaigns, targeted enforcement by law enforcement agencies, and continued emphasis on proven safety strategies such as seat belt use, sober driving, and slowing down.
What percentage of 2025 roadway deaths in Missouri involved individuals not wearing a seatbelt?
More than 50% of the 911 roadway deaths in Missouri in 2025 involved individuals not wearing a seatbelt.
What is MoDOT’s estimated number of lives saved through safety enhancements over the last 18 years?
In the last 18 years, MoDOT’s reinvestment in safety enhancements has resulted in an estimated 1,249 lives saved.
Key Features of Missouri’s Roadway Safety Milestone
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Milestone Achieved | Third consecutive year of declining traffic fatalities (first since 2019) | State-level |
| Fatalities in 2025 | 911 | State-level |
| Reduction from 2024 | 5% (from 955 fatalities) | State-level |
| Three-Year Reduction | 14% in roadway deaths | State-level |
| Key Partner Agencies | Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), other traffic-safety organizations | State-level |
| Strategic Plan | Show-Me Zero plan (education, enforcement, engineering, emergency response, everyone) | State-level |
| Lives Saved by MoDOT Enhancements | Estimated 1,249 lives over the last 18 years | State-level |
| Seatbelt Non-Use in Fatalities (2025) | More than 50% of 911 roadway deaths involved individuals not wearing a seatbelt | State-level |
| MoDOT Highway System Rank | 7th-largest in the country | Nationwide |
| MoDOT Savings Since 2007 | Over $6.2 billion, with $108 million redirected to roads and bridges in 2025 | State-level |
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Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
