Last-Minute Reminders

If it weren't for Post-It notes, I wonder if I'd get anything done. I often write reminders to myself and then place the notes in logical spots...at least what I consider logical.

"Hair," says the note, stuck to my steering wheel, reminding me to run by the salon after work for a trim.

"Chicken," says the note on the door leading to my garage. It was supposed to remind me to get food out of the freezer for dinner. Whoops. I missed that one.

Good thing MoDOT has a more permanent reminder at the end of many of its parking lots. Right before I pull out, I see a reminder to buckle up.

Schools, businesses and other organizations can borrow the stencils to encourage visitors to buckle up and Arrive Alive.

The reusable stencils are available on a first-come, first-served basis from MoDOT's seven regional offices. Designs can be painted on concrete or asphalt surfaces in parking lots and driveways of schools and businesses. Those requesting the stencils must provide their own paint and manpower.

A reminder might just help improve traffic safety. As of September 9. traffic fatalities in Missouri are up 9 percent for the year, and 63 percent of those killed in traffic crashes this year were not wearing a seat belt.

For more information about the stencils or other highway safety resources available to help educate students about safe driving practices, call 1-888-275-6636 or log onto http://www.savemolives.com/.

Got a Minute?

This week's MoDOT Minute shares some great news about Missouri's reduction in traffic fatalities and how living history will be traveling through the state very soon.

Signs of Progress

The end of a year just isn't the same without a little reflection on the year's accomplishments. For 2010, MoDOT had some big ones. Customer satisfaction and trust are high, billions of pounds of waste have been recycled, kcICON opened early and was selected as a top road project, and the number of fatalities on Missouri roads continue to decline. Watch below to learn about 2010's top ten signs of progress for Missouri transportation.

Safety Net

Sometimes you just need something to catch you.

Like a safety net, median guard cable is making Missouri highways much safer. The steel wire ropes are credited with saving approximately 45 lives each year in the state. With more than 600 miles of cable along Missouri highways, the latest installation has begun on Route 63 between Columbia and Jefferson City.

The video below demonstrates how guard cable stops most vehicles from crossing a median. Check it out and see how guard cables prove their worth as a first line of defense.

How Low Can We Go?

In 1950, it cost 20 cents for a gallon of gas. Today, of course, it's a bit more.

But in some ways, we've got the '50s beat. Missourians are driving five times more miles, and the number of registered vehicles has quadrupled. More importantly, this past year, Missouri highway fatalities were at their lowest point since 1950. For the fourth year in a row, Missouri has reduced its highway fatalities, largely due to the efforts of highway safety advocates in the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.

With combined efforts of law enforcement, education, emergency medical services and engineering, amazing things can happen.

Coalition members announced today in press conferences across the state that fatality numbers are dropping. The video below includes comments from Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel James F. Keathley and MoDOT Traffic Safety Engineer John Miller.

Still, there is more work to be done. The coalition continues to promote the top strategy to save lives on Missouri roads -- strengthening Missouri's seat belt law to allow for primary enforcement. This would save more than 60 lives each year in Missouri, and that's hard to beat.

Top Ten for 2009

Making lists is popular this time of year, whether it’s for holiday shopping, a year-in-review list or the things you’re pledging to do (or not do) in the new year.

Topping MoDOT's accomplishment list this year is a drop in highway fatalities for the fourth year in a row. The completion of I-64 and first-in-the-nation status aren't too shabby, either. Watch below to see MoDOT's "Top Ten" for 2009, and send your comments on what you'd like to see in 2010.

Working Like There's Snow Tomorrow

This weekend the temperatures are supposed to hit 75 in mid-Missouri, which makes me think of an end-of-season barbecue, mowing the lawn, taking a long walk outside and of course snow. Snow? Really? I know, it doesn’t make much sense, but as all Missourians know, the weather in our state can be quite unpredictable, so MoDOT crews prepare all equipment and supplies by Nov. 1 for the first snowfall.

And while we all hope the bad weather holds off for a while, we must prepare or suffer dire consequences. In 2008, 30 people were killed, 322 seriously injured and 2,536 received minor injuries in traffic crashes when there was snow, ice or slush on the roadway. Driving too fast for conditions and inattention were the top contributing factors in traffic crashes during the winter months last year.

And while our crews are out on the roads at all hours of the day, seven days a week when necessary to keep our roads safe, it is also the motorist’s job to drive cautiously, pay extra attention to signs and drive defensively.

MoDOT provides a traveler information map at www.modot.org/ with current road conditions to help drivers determine when it’s safe to travel. The map shows which roads are covered, partly covered, and clear.

For information on road conditions across the state, safe traveling tips and a diagram on driveway clearing techniques, visit www.modot.org/ or call 888-ASK MODOT. Recorded road-condition information is available at (800) 222-6400.

MoDOT Through the Looking Glass

MoDOT has a bunch of good-lookin’ employees. Who wouldn’t want to catch a peek of ‘em in the truck mirrors?

That’s what I thought after learning that MoDOT’s Northeast District added bright orange stickers to the back of bright yellow dump trucks. The message on the stickers is familiar to those who drive around 18-wheel trucks: If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.

It turns out that the district’s safety and health committee recommended the message. Concern about incidents when dump truck drivers backed into vehicles behind them – vehicles the dump truck driver could not see – prompted the team’s action. Since commercial trucks have the same blind spot, the team thought, we could try using one of their safety tactics.

It will be a few months – April 2010, to be exact – before the pilot program wraps up, but the district already notes a decrease in the number of backing incidents. It’s possible the stickers will spread statewide.

Big thanks to the big trucks for inspiring an effective, inexpensive safety tool.

And keep those glances in the mirror quick. MoDOT folks will try to temper our beauty so we’re not too distracting!

How Many Vehicles Drive Your Route Every Day? We Can Tell You!

Do you want to find out if traffic on your route has been climbing over the years? Are you thinking about starting a business near a state highway and want to know how many people will be driving by? Well, MoDOT can help you.

One of the little known offerings of MoDOT’s web site is our Traffic Volume Maps page. This page offers a collection of PDF maps that shows the Average Daily Traffic (“ADT” in MoDOT lingo) for hundreds of state maintained routes and interchanges. There is a statewide map that shows Missouri as a whole, and 10 regional maps so you can get a more refined view of the numbers. Of course, only state routes are covered, and we don’t show municipal traffic, but these maps are great tools for seeing how many people share your route on an average day. You can also go back to 2000 to see how traffic numbers have changed over the years.

The maps are updated every year and are valuable resources for safety officials, the business community, motor carriers or someone just trying to win an argument about traffic with their neighbor.

Click on the hot link above or go to www.modot.org/safety/trafficvolumemaps.htm to check out this great resource.