Write Up:

Safe and efficient travel for the public through work zones is crucial and why crews are expected to conduct operations safely. MoDOT makes every effort to inform the public to pay attention, slow down, move over, buckle up and drive without distractions. MoDOT’s goal is zero fatalities in work zones, and through continued efforts from MoDOT, the contracting industry and the driving public can that goal be accomplished.

For the first quarter of 2024, there were zero on-system work zone fatality crashes. In the same reporting period, there was one off-system work zone crash that resulted in one fatality.  

To reach the goal of zero fatalities in work zones, an internal review is conducted on each fatal crash to determine whether the crash qualifies as a true work zone fatality. These numbers are included in the overall totals for each road classification (state and local).

Poor driver behavior remains a primary factor in fatal crashes. Community outreach and public awareness campaigns, such as Buckle Up Phone Down, are helpful, but ultimately MoDOT is dependent upon the driving public to make good choices when driving in work zones. To reduce fatalities in work zones, many challenges remain, with changing driver behavior at the top. 

Purpose of Measure:

This measure tracks the number of traffic-related and non-traffic-related fatalities, injuries and overall crashes occurring in work zones on state-owned and off-system roadways.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Missouri law enforcement agencies submit a vehicle accident report form to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to be entered into a statewide traffic crash database. The database automatically updates MoDOT’s crash database system, which is part of the Transportation Management System. MoDOT staff query and analyze this data to identify work zone related crash statistics. Missouri State Highway Patrol prioritizes entry of the crash reports by fatality, serious injury and property damage only. 

The target for this measure is updated quarterly. This target is established by projecting a 10% improvement over a 5-year average.