Fatal Car Crashes in Missouri Trends

  • Recent Trends: Unfortunately, Missouri has seen a rise in traffic fatalities in recent years.

    • 2020: According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 914 fatal crashes in Missouri resulting in 987 deaths. (https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-01-04/car-crash-deaths-rise-in-kansas-city)
    • 2021: The Missouri Department of Transportation (MDOT) reported over 1,015 fatalities on Missouri roadways, a two percent increase from 2020. (https://savemolives.com/)
    • 2022: Fatalities continued to rise, with MDOT reporting 1,045 deaths, a slight increase from 2021. (https://www.fosterwallace.com/video/motor-vehicle-accidents-bicycle-accidents/)
    • 2023: There's a glimmer of hope. Preliminary data from MDOT indicates a decrease in fatalities in 2023, with 989 deaths reported. This is a 6% reduction compared to 2022. (https://www.fosterwallace.com/video/motor-vehicle-accidents-bicycle-accidents/)

  • National Comparison: Despite the recent decrease, Missouri has a higher than average rate of traffic fatalities compared to the rest of the country.

    • 2022: In 2022, the national average for traffic fatalities was 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people. Missouri's rate was nearly 14.4 fatalities per 100,000 people, exceeding the national average. (https://www.fosterwallace.com/video/motor-vehicle-accidents-bicycle-accidents/)

  • Causes of Fatal Crashes: MDOT identifies several leading causes of fatal crashes in Missouri:

    • Speeding: Speeding and aggressive driving behaviors remain a top concern, contributing to more than half of all fatal crashes.
    • Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major factor, although the percentage has decreased slightly in recent years.
    • Seatbelt Use: A significant number of car crash fatalities involve occupants who weren't wearing seat belts. In 2023, 63% of vehicle occupants killed were not buckled up. (https://www.fosterwallace.com/video/motor-vehicle-accidents-bicycle-accidents/)
    • Distracted Driving: Distractions like cell phone use are a growing concern and contribute to a number of fatal crashes.

Resources for Further Information:

  • Missouri Department of Transportation Traffic Crash and Highway Safety Dashboards: https://savemolives.com/
  • Missouri State Highway Patrol Crash Data: https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/search.jsp

These resources can provide more detailed information on crash statistics, contributing factors, and ongoing efforts to improve road safety in Missouri.

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