MoDOT Minute

Your MoDOT Minute for this week discusses repairs to damaged roads in Northwest Missouri due to flooding, as well as results from the The HEAT Is On campaign:

MoDOT Minute

Don't miss this week's MoDOT Minute for information on keeping up with the rising water in Missouri and how you can beat the HEAT.

Not Even for a Minute

It's a temptation most every parent or caregiver has probably experienced. "I'm just running in for a minute. I'm sure the kids will be okay if I leave them alone in the car. What could possibly happen?"

Fortunately, the vast majority never give in to that temptation. For those who do, the consequences can be devastating. Left alone in a vehicle even for a short time, a child is in danger of dehydration, injury, abduction and death. According to Safe Kids USA, from 1998 to 2009, 443 children died from heat stroke while unattended in a car.

That's why MoDOT and the Children's Trust Fund are teaming up to remind parents and caregivers never to leave children alone in or around vehicles - not even for a minute. MoDOT has placed posters supporting the CTF's Not Even for a Minute public awareness campaign in its 28 rest area locations in Missouri, which are visited by about 20 million people a year. In addition, the department's electronic interstate message boards will carry the reminder through August.

"Keeping Missourians safe is our top priority, and we are pleased to help the Children's Trust Fund remind folks never to leave children alone in or around cars," MoDOT Interim Director Kevin Keith said.

For more information, visit http://www.ctf4kids.org/.

Missouri Miles

In part one of Missouri Miles for July, we show you how MoDOT is saving money by cleaning signs instead of replacing them. Then we take you inside a big rig for the Missouri Truck Driving Championship in Springfield, Missouri. In part two, learn everything you need to know about driving around a roundabout. We take you on a bike ride in Jefferson City as a fundraiser for the MoDOT Memorial Fund, as well as remind you that "The Heat is On" this summer!
All that and more in this month's edition of Misouri Miles.

Not So Funny

I went to a comedy club the other night and the first thing the out-of-state comedian said was that he hated Missouri cops. Apparently he had been pulled over for speeding just after he crossed the state line into Missouri. On the outside I smiled, but inside I was doing a happy dance and thinking, “Hey the Heat Is On buddy”, and it’s working!

The funny guy went on to try to find a cop in the audience that would admit to his profession so that he could humiliate him in front of a crowd. There was a highway patrolman in the front row, but he wasn’t ashamed to admit it.

I have been pulled over for speeding myself. At the first glimpse of flashing lights in my rear view, my heart rate jumps and the armor comes up. I quickly go on the defensive, “Oh, come on, I wasn’t going that fast. What, are you having a bad day?” When in fact I was 10 mph over the limit.

Law enforcement officers are there, ultimately to keep us from killing ourselves and each other. Without them, who knows how fast we’d drive or how many stupid things we’d try just because no one was watching.

I’m happy to know that the cops are out there – nabbing those funny guys and keeping us safe.