Missouri Driver Safety

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety (MCRS) has been at the forefront of advancing highway safety in Missouri since 2004. As part of their efforts, the MCRS has published a strategic highway safety plan. Among other important items, the newest edition of this strategic plan sets a state-wide goal of 700 or fewer roadway fatalities by 2016.

In furtherance of the fatality reduction goal, the MCRS has identified 9 key strategies that must be implemented in order to make significant progress toward reaching the projected goal of 700 or fewer fatalities by 2016. These strategies, referred to as the “Necessary Nine”, are listed at the bottom of this page.

Driver Safety Strategies

The “Necessary Nine” contain 3 strategies that pertain to driver safety, including:

  • (a) Increase Safety Belt Use
  • (b) Reduce the Number of Impaired Drivers
  • (c) Change Traffic Safety Culture

For its part, Drive By Example has been in direct alignment with the 3 driver safety strategies listed above. Based on Drive By Example’s core message to drive alert, buckled, and cautious, our mission has been to reduce the types of collisions that cause serious injury and roadway fatalities by influencing drivers to adopt safe driving habits and behaviors that protect themselves, their passengers, and others on the roadway.

As it relates to the driving culture, Drive By Example believes the most effective way of changing the driving culture is to alert drivers to the risks and consistently promote driver protection. This is so because self-preservation is a strong motivator toward driving behavior.

Teen Driver Protection

Importantly, because a reduction in teen driver serious injuries and fatalities would be a huge boost for advancing traffic safety in Missouri, Drive By Example is advocating that the MCRS add “Teen Driver Protection” as a 10th key strategy.

This new strategy could take its framework from Drive By Example’s teen driver protection work and model programs already in place. This includes efforts to implement school district driver safety campaigns and better equip parents to protect their teen drivers. More information about Drive By Example’s work in this area can be found on the Teen Driver Protection page.

Missouri Driver Safety Communications Program

Drive By Example is also recommending that the MCRS consider implementing a Driver Safety Communications Program to help bolster Missouri’s strategic plan. In this regard, Drive By Example would be well-suited to serve as a platform for a driver safety communications program.

Not only could a sustained Drive By Example communications program effectively address Missouri’s top driver safety priorities, but it would also provide a comprehensive driving safety communication program that can be utilized by safety partners throughout the state, including law enforcement, school districts, municipalities, community organizations, and private sector entities.

The “Necessary Nine”

Here is a list of the “Necessary Nine” key strategies that are being implemented by the MCRS.

  1. Increase Safety Belt Use
  2. Expand the Installation of Rumble Strips/Stripes
  3. Increase Efforts to Reduce the Number of Impaired Drivers
  4. Improve Intersection Safety
  5. Improve Curve Safety
  6. Change Traffic Safety Culture
  7. Improve Roadway Shoulders
  8. Increase Enforcement Efforts
  9. Expand and Improve Roadway Visibility